Oppo shop attacked because workers helped catch alleged shoplifter, claims salesman

KUALA LUMPUR: Witnesses to Saturday's melee at Low Yat shopping mall claim a man and his group of friends attacked the workers of a store because they aided in his capture after he was allegedly caught shoplifting.

Salesman See Ming Ho, 27, claimed that the man who started the fight was detained earlier Saturday by the mall's security guards for allegedly stealing a smartphone from his kiosk.

"He came earlier on the pretence of looking at phones.

"We were negotiating and when I then turned away to get a free gift for him, he was gone," said See.

See claims that the stolen phone, a Lenovo S860 worth RM799 was not found on the man after he was caught.

He lodged a police report on the theft at the Dang Wangi police station.

See said that it was the workers from the Oppo store who helped him apprehend the man.

"Many are saying the dispute started because the Oppo salespeople sold a fake phone to the man, but that's not true.

"They only helped me catch him - he was stealing from my kiosk," he claimed.

He claimed that the man later returned in the evening with a group of friends to beat up the Oppo salespeople who helped catch him - a fight that was caught on video which went viral overnight.

Gerakan public complaints bureau chairman Wilson Lau Hoi Keong, who was at the scene Sunday, said that the public should refrain from speculating on the case as it was currently being investigated.

Lau said the alleged theft and the ensuing melee should be treated as separate cases.

"All parties should calm down and let the police investigate the matter," Lau said.

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