Cops nab would-be robber who set off firecrackers as distraction

ISKANDAR PUTERI: A man has been arrested for the attempted robbery of a goldsmith shop in a Taman Mutiara Rini supermarket here.

The 33-year-old suspect, who was unarmed, had set off firecrackers in the middle of the supermarket to distract the crowd.

Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said police received a call about the incident at 10pm on Monday (Jan 17).

“After setting off the firecrackers, he entered the shop through the front entrance when the shutter was half down and went directly to the metal cash box at the back of the store.

“Police were able to arrest him at the scene,” he said in a statement on Tuesday (Jan 18).

He added that the store manager, a 34-year-old woman, sustained a facial injury after being punched by the suspect.

“No losses were recorded. We seized a box, firecrackers, face mask, lighter and a pair of gloves,” ACP Dzulkhairi said.

He also noted that the suspect has a criminal record involving six robbery cases and one vehicle theft.

“The case is being investigated under Section 393 of the Penal Code for attempted robbery and the suspect will be brought to court for a remand order,” he added.