JOHOR BARU: A 41-year-old Malaysian man was arrested in Batam, Indonesia, after robbing a woman at gunpoint, stealing her car and injuring a policeman while attempting to escape.
The suspect, from Melaka, allegedly threatened the 48-year-old victim with an airsoft pistol and a knife before fleeing with her Toyota Rush and valuables worth about 292 million rupiah (RM73,000) on Friday.
Barelang Police Criminal Investigation chief Commissioner Agung Tri Poerbowo said the suspect had turned to robbery after running out of money while holidaying in Indonesia.
“He arrived in Indonesia on Sept 15 but overstayed his immigration permit by 10 days as he could not afford his return journey to Malaysia.
“He initially came for a holiday but ran out of money. He then planned to rob someone to finance his return home, targeting victims at random,” he was quoted as saying by Indonesian media.
The incident began when the victim paid her vehicle tax at the Samsat counter in Harbour Bay before withdrawing cash from an ATM.
As she returned to her vehicle, the suspect allegedly got into the passenger seat and forced her to drive towards Bukit Senyum.
When they reached an area outside a housing estate, he pulled out the airsoft pistol and knife, threatening her and demanding that she transfer money online to his bank account.
The victim screamed for help, prompting the suspect to panic and push her out of the vehicle before fleeing with the car and her belongings.
His escape was cut short when a traffic policeman heard her cries and pursued the stolen vehicle, eventually intercepting it.
Agung said the suspect had pointed the airsoft pistol at the policeman and rammed into him, causing injuries.
Investigations revealed that the suspect had bought the airsoft pistol from an apartment security guard for one million rupiah.
Agung said the security guard had also been detained and was being questioned over his alleged role in supplying the weapon.
Police seized the stolen vehicle, one million rupiah, a bag, the airsoft pistol with five CO2 cartridges and a knife.
The suspect faces a charge under Article 365 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code for aggravated theft involving violence, which carries a maximum nine-year jail term.