13-year-old nabbed for trying to stab ehailing driver in robbery attempt

SUNGAI PETANI: A 13-year-old boy has been arrested by police for allegedly attempting to rob an ehailing driver in Taman Keladi here on Monday (Nov 27).

Kuala Muda OCPD Asst Comm Zaidy Che Hassan said during the incident at about 6.20pm, the teen suspect has tried to stab the 65-year-old driver with a knife and attempted to snatch the cash from his shirt pocket.

"The driver initially received an order from the passenger through the e-hailing application to be picked up in Long Keladi 12 and to be sent to Lorong Astana 9/7 in Bandar Sri Astana.

"However, along the journey, the suspect then asked to borrow RM50 from the victim to pay his house rent.

"The victim said if he did not have the money, he would have to drop off the suspect on the spot, but the suspect refused and asked to be brought to the house in Bandar Sri Astana to collect money and pay for the transport service.

"The suspect later asked to be brought back to Taman Keladi and the victim did receive a payment of RM18.

"The suspect then attempted to delay the victim by directing him to drive through several alleys.

"The victim eventually dropped off the suspect and requested an additional payment of RM9 but while he was in the midst of returning a change of RM20 given by the suspect, the suspect tried to stab him," said ACP Zaidy in a statement.

He added that the suspect had attempted to snatch the money from the victim's pocket but the victim managed to fend for himself and grabbed hold of the knife by biting the suspect's hand.

The teen has since been tracked down and arrested at about 10pm following a report lodged by the victim.

"The suspect is being remanded for a day to facilitate investigation under Section 393 of the Penal Code for attempted robbery.

"A knife measuring 25cm long was seized after it was left in the victim's car.

"Investigations found that the teen suspect is the eldest of four siblings in the family and did not come from a problematic background.

"The reason he acted in such a way was due to anger after being scolded by the victim and was trying to claim back his money," added ACP Zaidy.

A video recorded on the victim's dashcam in the car has since gone viral on social media.