KUALA LUMPUR: It’s no longer just a snatch theft. It could well be murder.
Snatch theft victim Lim Foong Mei, who fell after a motorcyclist grabbed her handbag, has died.
Investigations will now be carried out into her death before authorities decide to alter the charge against the detained suspect, say police.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the snatch theft suspect had been caught and charged in court before her death.
“The victim was also allowed to return home from the hospital. Additional checks will be conducted to determine the link between her death and injuries sustained during the snatch theft.
“Suggestions to change the charge will be made based on the results of these additional checks,” he said yesterday.
The suspect was earlier charged with voluntarily causing hurt in committing robbery.
Meanwhile, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil conveyed his condolences to the family and friends of Lim following her passing yesterday.
In a Facebook post, Fahmi, who is also Lembah Pantai MP, said he had visited Lim, 78, at University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) along with Brickfields district police chief Asst Comm Ku Mashariman Ku Mahmood after the incident.
“Heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of Lim Foong Mei, the victim of a snatch theft incident on Jalan Limau Manis, Bangsar, in October. May her family find the strength to face this difficult time,” Fahmi said.
Closed-circuit television footage showed the motorcyclist snatching her handbag, causing her to fall at around 6.30am on Oct 7.
She lay motionless until passers-by came to her aid a few minutes later. Lim was then rushed to UMMC for treatment and placed under observation.
Separately, a 50-year-old man was killed in a hit-and-run in Klang. North Klang deputy OCPD Supt Mohd Rahimi Zainol said the incident occurred on Dec 23 along Jalan Meru.
“It occurred around 8.15pm when the man was hit by an unknown car while walking on a pedestrian path.
“He died from head injuries and was brought to Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital in Klang for a post-mortem.
“Until now, no report has been lodged by the driver of the vehicle that hit the victim,” he said in a statement on Sunday.
He urged those with information to contact Traffic investigation officer Insp Ahmad Fadzli Abdulla at 017-584 3860 or the nearest police station.
