Man who assaulted and robbed woman in Kota Kinabalu nabbed within seven hours

KOTA KINABALU: The suspect who assaulted a woman during a robbery here has been arrested by police within seven hours of the incident.

Acting city police chief Supt Kalsom Idris said the 18-year-old man was arrested near a supermarket on Jalan Gaya at about 8pm on Thursday (Feb 15).

She said the suspect was a Pelahu from the Kg Pondo squatter settlement on Pulau Gaya near here.

She said the suspect allegedly robbed the 35-year-old clerk in the back alley of a bank in Jalan Gaya at about 1pm that day.

Based on investigations, the victim, who worked as a clerk, was walking by herself to a nearby shop.

"The man came from behind the victim, covered her mouth and pushed her down.

"He punched the victim in the face and head before stealing her purse," Supt Kalsom told reporters at the Kota Kinabalu district police headquarters here on Friday (Feb 16).

She said the victim lost about RM50 in cash and personal documents and was later given treatment at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

According to Supt Kalsom, the suspect was involved in a second robbery at about 7.30pm on Jalan Pantai where he snatched a handphone from a 35-year-old woman.

He said the suspect was pursued by the public and ran to Jalan Gaya where police arrested him near the supermarket.

Following his arrest, the suspect also admitted to robbing the clerk earlier in the day.