SHAH ALAM: A nine-month pregnant woman ran 50m to foil a snatch thief who snatched her handbag while she was in the toilet at a supermarket in Section 23, here on Monday (April 29) night.
The 37-year-old mother of two's rapid reaction paid off when the 22-year-old suspect was chased down with help from members of the public who responded to the victim’s screams that sounded like "a police siren in hot pursuit".
Shah Alam OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said police received a report about the dramatic episode from the woman, who worked as a factory operator, at 10.57pm.
He said in the incident, the victim had gone to the supermarket alone to shop for maternity items to welcome the birth of her third child.
"While the victim was in the women's toilet, she realised that someone snatched her bag pack hung on the door of the cubicle.
"The victim scrambled out of the toilet to give chase and her cries for help harnessed the crowd around to stop the frantic suspect who was caught red-handed with the victim's bag pack," he said here on Tuesday (April 30).
He said the expectant mother was fortunately unharmed as she was close to labour and was now at the Shah Alam Hospital waiting for the birth of her child.
Asst Comm Iqbal said the theft suspect who works at a water filter company has four prior offences in his criminal record related to crime and drugs.
"The suspect is now remanded for three days (until May 2) and investigated under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft which can lead to a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a fine if convicted," he said.
People with more information about the incident are urged to contact the assistant investigating officer, Sergeant Muhammad Fairunizam Puasa, at 013-6616845 to assist with investigations.- Bernama
