A screengrab from video.
PERHAPS desperation is driving criminals to become more brazen, or they may just target those they feel are less likely to put up resistance.
CCTV footage that went viral recently shows a masked intruder ransacking the living room of a house while the occupant, a senior citizen, is seated right there.
He tells her to be quiet and sit still, but she screams for help when he takes money out of her purse.
It is claimed that the incident took place in Simpang Renggam, Johor.
Did this happen as claimed?
VERDICT:
TRUE
Police in Kluang said they are looking for a suspect who broke into a house on Jalan Melati in Kampung Melayu, Simpang Renggam, near here.
Kluang OCPD Asst Comm Bahrin Mohd Noh said police received a report on Wednesday (Aug 6) afternoon.
“A woman in her 90s was home alone when the incident took place," he said in a statement on Friday (Aug 8).
The robbery, which occurred at 4.30am on Wednesday, was captured on the closed-circuit television (CCTV) installed in the victim’s house.
The clip shows the victim sitting in the living room when a suspect wearing a navy blue shirt enters and rummages through the area.
The victim is heard asking the suspect, "Where did you come from?" but he tells her to remain seated while he continues looking around.
She screams when the suspect takes money from her purse.
ACP Bahrin said the suspect is believed to be in his 40s but was wearing a mask and appeared to be aware of the CCTV camera.
He called on anyone with information to go to the nearest police station or contact the Kluang police contingent at 07-7788422, 07-7784256 (direct line), 07-7766822 (hotline) or 014-3656822 (district control centre tablet).
Some comments on social media condemned the suspect for preying on a defenceless person.
Netizens remarked that the robber looks healthy enough to work for an honest living instead of resorting to crime, while others called him utterly heartless for robbing a grandmother.
"Low-class robber," said one.
"Catch him and teach him a lesson," another urged the police.
