IPOH: A family endured a road trip to remember when they were forced off the road and extorted while driving near the Menora Tunnel.
A video of the "robbery", which allegedly took place in the wee hours of Wednesday (Oct 15), has gone viral on social media.
In the six-minute, 40-second video, a car is seen slowing down and blocking the path of the victim's multi-purpose vehicle (MPV), while another sports utility vehicle (SUV) trails closely behind, urging the victim to stop his car.
A family member in the MPV could also be heard frantically saying that it was a robbery attempt.
According to Perak deputy police chief Deputy Comm Mohammad Azlin Sadari, the incident began when the car the family was travelling in overtook a lorry near the tunnel.
"The victim, who was driving, aged 60, told police that his driving may have upset the suspects, who trailed him from the tunnel to the Tapah rest and restoration (R&R) area.
“Preliminary investigations found that the incident began after the victim overtook a lorry along the North-South Expressway, heading South.
“Following that, the suspects allegedly instructed the victim to stop his car at the Tapah R&R lorry parking area,” he said in a press conference here on Friday (Oct 17).
DCP Azlin said that the suspects, two men and two women, confronted the victims and demanded compensation at the Tapah R&R.
"One of the suspects claimed that their child had fallen inside their vehicle due to the victim’s driving.
“The victim then handed over RM180 in cash before leaving the scene," he said.
“One of the suspect's cars is registered under a woman with an address in Terengganu, while the other car belongs to a company based in Johor.
“These details will assist in identifying and tracing the suspects,” he added.
DCP Azlin said the case is being investigated under Section 384 of the Penal Code for extortion.
He also said that a facial sketch of one of the suspects has been prepared.
“The police would like to remind all road users that mistakes on the road can happen, and it’s human nature.
"We should practise patience and understanding to prevent unnecessary conflict,” he said.
"In cases that appear to involve road bullying, motorists should avoid confrontation and head directly to the nearest police station or go-to-safety-point (GTSP) at petrol stations, which are also found at R&R areas," he added.
