#snatch theft

KARANGASEM, DEWATA.NEWS – Police in Karangasem have arrested two suspected street snatch thieves believed to have operated across multiple regencies in Bali and frequently targeted foreign tourists. The arrests end a manhunt that lasted more than two months. The case came to light following a report from a foreign tourist from Uzbekistan, identified by the initials IF, who was robbed in October…

By Ivy Josiah

I was walking to my doctor’s appointment when I heard a motorbike behind me. Immediately, I clutched onto my handbag tighter and looked around to see if I could run into a shop or building to escape a potential threat. Paranoia? Or was I just being cautious?  

The sad reality is that a motorbike coming up behind or in front of you, or even passing your car while you’re stuck in a traffic jam or stopped at a red light is cause for worry in the Klang Valley.

There has been far too many cases of snatch thefts. I, too, was a victim of a bike rider who smashed my car window and grabbed my bag that was placed on the passenger seat. I know, I know ... it was my “fault” for not placing it on the floorboard or in the boot.

At any social gatherings, if you ask around, a majority of those in the room have either been victims of a robbery or know someone who has been. These crimes range from snatched bags or chains to carjacks and home break-ins by parang(long knife)-wielding thugs. 

In my neighbourhood alone, within a spate of four months this year, there has been three armed robberies involving 5 to 6 men holding parangs forcing their way into homes while the occupants were inside.

Just about everyone has a crime horror story to share.

This begs the question as to what the police are doing to bring down crime rates.  Crime reduction should be a high priority as the perception of Malaysia as a dangerous place is neither good for votes nor tourism.

In 2015, it was reported that the recorded crime index came down by 40% since the transformation strategy under the Government Transformation Programme (GTP) began in 2009. That means there were 580 crimes per day in 2009 and in 2014, it dropped to 350 crimes per day. Unfortunately, 52% do not believe that crime has gone down and continue to live in fear, as revealed in the 2015 Human Development Report published by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

Another study, conducted last year by independent consultants Frost & Sullivan, showed that only 10% of the public believe that crime rate has gone down. That’s understandable, as every time people gather there are far too many exchanges on the latest robbery.

Living in fear further contributes to a culture of indifference, of not wanting to interact with neighbours or keeping a look out for the safety of the community. This, in turn, is conducive to an increase in crime. The community needs to feel assured that the police and they themselves have a handle on crime.

One of the recommendations in the 2005 report by the Royal Commission To Enhance the Operation and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police is to “Strengthen Community Policing” by utilising existing Neighbourhood Watch Scheme, The Rakan (Friend) Cop, and Resident Associations.  

The report noted that these neighbourhood programmes  “lose steam when the initial enthusiasm triggered by some major incident, gang harassment or high incidence of crime begins to recede.”

Nevertheless, there must be an attempt to institutionalise Community Policing within PDRM’s structures, as these kinds of programmes have proven effective in many other countries. 

This way, the police will have more resources and information for crime-prevention strategies, instead of being forced into an after-the-fact response to crime.  For instance, reporting broken windows, abandoned cars, empty houses and suspicious-looking persons loitering in an area.

Some Malaysians have taken matters into their own hands by starting neighbourhood Facebook or a WhatsApp groups. Recently, after the spate of robberies, my neighbourhood organised itself to meet with the police to seek their cooperation in creating a quick response system. 

If any resident spots someone in a car or on a bike behaving suspiciously, not only do we alert the neighbours via WhatsApp but also the police, who will immediately send a patrol car or bike to investigate.

Meanwhile the individual also has to take the necessary precautions, although I hate it that we need to go about our daily routine feeling under siege.  Here are some tips that I practise: 

- Hold your bag over your shoulder. - Use a money belt or pockets for your phone and purse (notice how men rarely get mugged – they don’t hold handbags!). - Walk facing oncoming traffic to avoid kerb crawlers. - Hold your car key in your hands when walking to your parked car. - Get friends or security guards to accompany you if you are unsure about the safety of a car park. - Look around; be aware of your surroundings when getting back home and check to see if there is a bike or car hovering.  Drive away if you don’t feel safe opening your gate. - Call someone when you are in taxi to give the taxi number and estimated time of arrival.

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/07/09/two-snatch-thefts-penang-cops-assure-state-safe/

Two snatch thefts after Penang cops assure state is safe

GEORGE TOWN, July 9:

Just when the Penang police have given assurance that everything is fine in the state and it is still a safe tourist spot despite the onslaught of snatch theft cases, a suspect with past records struck twice in separate incidents within a day.

The first case around noon yesterday, saw the suspect targeting a local, while a tourist from Belgium became his second victim.

The 41-year-old suspect’s freedom, however, was short-lived despite trying to make a run for it.

He was caught by the victim’s partner, who managed to pin him to the ground with the help of passers-by.

The suspect is believed to be a rubber tapper from Grik, Perak, who would come occasionally to Penang to prey on unsuspecting tourists.

The suspect was handed over to the police at the Lebuh Pantai station and a report was lodged.

Caroline Jacques M, 31, from Belgium, was strolling around the George Town heritage enclave with her partner, taking  photographs of street art in Lebuh Ah Quee when she suddenly felt her bag being pulled by a man riding on a motorcycle.

Shocked, she screamed out for help and her partner took off after the suspect.

The suspect was said to have used an electric taser on Jacques’ partner, but did not get far as the partner managed to pin the suspect down.

In an earlier case about 12.45pm, the same suspect had targeted an insurance agent, a local aged 33, as the victim was parking her car in Jalan Nagore.

The suspect was said to have appeared from the opposite direction and snatched her handbag containing two smartphones, an electronic tablet, RM4,700 cash  and a purse containing personal documents.

Unfortunately for her, there were no passers-by in the area to help her and the closed-circuit television (CCTV) camera was not functioning.

She lodged a report at the central police station.

Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mior Farid Alathrash confirmed the case and the arrest.

It is learnt that many stolen items were recovered from the suspect’s home in Gerik.

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/04/29/man-escapes-gallows-pleading-guilty-causing-death/

Man escapes gallows after pleading guilty to causing death

By Zalinah Noordin

GEORGE TOWN, April 29:

A general worker escaped the gallows instead of being sentenced to 15 years in jail by the Penang High Court today, after he pleaded guilty to an alternative charge for causing the death of a senior citizen, after a robbery two years ago.

Ooi Kean Leong, 37, was initially charged with causing the death of Tan Kim Chuan, 67, under Section 302 of the Penal Code in August 2012, which carries a mandatory death sentence but the prosecution granted him an alternative charge of 304 (a) of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum jail term of 30 years.

Ooi admitted to the charges read to him by a court interpreter in Hokkien and appeared very calm.

In mitigation before Judge Datuk Zamani Abdul Rahim, counsel Anthony Chew said there was no intention to cause death, only snatch theft and there was no weapon involved.

“He has saved the court’s time by straight away pleading guilty and has repented for causing the death of the deceased,” said Chew.

Deputy public prosecutor Muna Mohamed Jaafar pressed charges and asked for a deterrent sentence in view of public interest and the increase in snatch theft cases.

Ooi, 36, was alleged to have committed the offence against Tan in front of a motorcycle parking area at Block J, Jalan Padang Tembak, at about 6.02am, on July 10.

Ooi was arrested on August 8, 2012, and the sentencing started from the date of arrest.

It was reported that Tan, a widow, who had moved into the Rifle Range Flats just two weeks earlier, was walking alone near block J of the flats, when her handbag was snatched by a motorcyclist.

She fell and knocked her head on the road, and succumbed to her injuries at the Penang Hospital nine hours later.

New Post has been published on http://www.therakyatpost.com/news/2014/04/16/teresa-kok-victim-of-bungled-snatch-theft/

Teresa Kok victim of bungled snatch theft

By Rajvinder Singh

KUALA LUMPUR, April 16:

Opposition Member of Parliament (MP) Teresa Kok almost became a victim of snatch theft outside her home in Taman Rainbow here on Sunday night.

The DAP Seputeh MP nearly lost her gold chain when two men on a motorcycle tried to snatch it as she was walking with her two nieces, aged 5 and 11.

CCTV camera footage revealed that the motorcyclists approached them from behind and Teresa fell in the ensuing struggle.

She said she picked herself up and ran behind some parked cars with her nieces.

“I was screaming for help as the pillion rider was chasing us. He only ran away when a car stopped to help us.”

Teresa, 50, said she she had lodged a report at the Sentul police station yesterday afternoon.

A copy of the police report and CCTV camera footage can be seen on her Facebook page.

New Post has been published on http://wangsamaju.tk/insecurity-desa-setapak-near-wangsa-maju-lrt-station-posted-by-david-tan-hor-in-facebook-7-july/

Insecurity @ Desa Setapak near Wangsa Maju LRT Station - posted by David Tan Hor in Facebook, 7 July