IPOH: A trailer driver who was supposed to transport a truckload of scrap metal worth RM660,000 turned out to be the mastermind of his own vehicle hijack.
The man, who is in his 30s, departed from Bukit Mertajam in Penang on the night of July 9, with 21 tonnes of scrap copper and 10 tonnes of scrap steel.
Also with him was an assistant driver, who was not privy to the heist.
Instead of heading to his destination in Batu Caves, Kuala Lumpur, the driver made a stop at a restaurant along Jalan Bidor-Sungkai, purportedly for food.
However, several armed men who were waiting appeared and overcame the duo before tying their hands and blindfolding them.
Both the driver and his assistant were then taken on a ride before the driver was abandoned by the roadside near Gerik, while his assistant was dropped off near an oil palm estate in Pajam, Nilai.
The trailer was found abandoned along Jalan Kuching on July 10, but the scrap metal load was all gone.
Perak CID chief Senior Asst Comm Yahya Abd Rahman said that the driver and his assistant’s employer lodged a report on the incident.
''The driver, who sought help from passers-by after he was abandoned, was found with curry powder on his face and body.
''He claimed that the hijackers smeared the spice on him, causing him to be unable to see them clearly.
''However, our investigation together with statements from other suspects gave him away,'' SAC Yahya said here Monday (July 20).
He said that a total of 16 men related to the case have been arrested since July 28, with the latest arrest made on Friday (Aug 17) in Bidor.
''All suspects are aged between 20 and 50.
''Our latest suspect was the buyer of the hijacked goods, which he had offered RM200,000 for, but paid only RM60,000.
''The 48-year-old businessman was from Rawang and he has previous records for gang fight and riot,'' SAC Yahya said, adding that all suspects have been released on a court bond under Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code.
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