SEMPORNA – A video of a man appearing to be roughed up by a group of store workers after he had allegedly stolen two bottles of shampoo and a bottle of hand lotion worth RM120 has since gone viral.
District police chief Farhan Lee Abdullah said they are now investigating the incident after receiving a report from one of the store workers today in reaction to the viral video.
In the video lasting one minute and 36 seconds, the 40-year-old suspect was seen having his shirt pulled and, later, his face kicked and bloodied following the incident.
Farhan said that based on the report, the incident happened at a hypermarket in Jalan Bugaya here around 3pm yesterday.
“The complainant claimed he was working at the store and tried to detain the suspect with the stolen items.
“The man tried to flee in a black Proton Saga vehicle after stealing the items, but was driving dangerously and hit two other vehicles parked in front of the store, damaging them in the process,” he said.
Farhan said the suspect was held and later freed by the store workers after a Good Samaritan stepped forward to pay for all the damages, including the two damaged vehicles.
A look into the suspect’s background revealed that he had 11 past criminal records, including drug offences, he added.
“We are now investigating the case and looking for witnesses to have their statements taken.
“Police have since detained the suspect for further investigations under Section 380 of the Penal Code for shoplifting,” he said. – The Vibes, December 30, 2022
