By Brad Rantayy
MIRI, Sept 26: Swift action by members of the public foiled an attempt by a snatch thief to escape with a handphone of an Indonesian man here yesterday.
In the 1am incident, the 42-year-old victim was sitting at a table along a five-foot-way of North Yu Seng Road, having a video call with his son, when the suspect suddenly yanked the phone out of his hands.
The snatcher had jumped off a motorcycle and grabbed the handphone from the victim. Refusing to give up his handphone to the snatch thief, the victim chased the suspect through the street.
Commotion ensued when the victim managed to catch the suspect, who was about to climb on a motorcycle of an accomplice to flee the scene.
A tug-of-war between the trio caught the public’s attention, who rushed to the scene to help the victim. They managed to apprehend the suspect, while the accomplice fled off the scene on foot.
Miri police chief ACP Lim Meng Seah, when contacted, said the older suspect was eventually caught by the the Mobile Police Vehicle (MPV) unit.
“Both suspects, aged 29 and 51, are father and son who works as cobblers. They are currently being detained to facilitate with police investigation.
“They also have previous criminal records related to drugs and housebreaking offences,” he added.
The case is being investigated under Section 392 and 397 of the Penal Code for robbery and snatch theft. — DayakDaily
