SIBU: A daring motorcycle theft at AKID MARA by a 40-year-old man took a dramatic turn when the public intervened, ending his escapade in less than four hours.
A 25-second viral video clip depicted the man being questioned by the public, who suspected that the motorcycle that the culprit was riding was a stolen vehicle.
However, the suspect managed to flee, riding off as the public attempted to stop him.
Thanks to a tip from the public, the police tracked down the suspect at Jalan Kemuyang.
Meanwhile, Sibu district police chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili said the suspect was caught by a police mobile patrol unit.
“The team located the suspect at Jalan Kemuyang, but when they tried to arrest him, he fled into the bushes, leaving the motorcycle by the roadside.
“With the public’s assistance, the police were able to arrest the suspect in the nearby bushes at about 3 pm,” he said in a statement today.
Zulkipli said police received a report around 12.41 pm yesterday (May 9) regarding the theft of a Honda C70 motorcycle parked at ARKED MARA.
“The victim witnessed the suspect stealing his motorcycle and fleeing and attempted to chase after him and recorded a video of the suspect riding away with the motorcycle,” he said.
He added that the suspect had no prior criminal record and would be remanded for further investigation.
“The case is being investigated under Section 379A of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of imprisonment for a term of not less than one year and not more than seven years, along with a fine upon conviction,” he added.
