GEORGE TOWN – Penang police have arrested a suspected car thief several hours after he drove away with a five-year-old special needs child from Masjid Kampung Banggol in Tasek Gelugor last night.
According to Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad, the child’s father had left his Honda BRV with the engine running in the mosque parking lot at 8pm while tending to his one-year-old daughter.
The suspect then took the opportunity to steal the vehicle, driving off with the child inside. The father tried to chase the vehicle but failed.
A few hours later, at 3.45am today, the police tracked down the car at a petrol station in the Behrang R&R area in Perak, on the North-South Expressway heading south, where the man was found sleeping in the vehicle with the engine running.
“When told to open the door, the suspect refused and tried to escape by reversing the vehicle, causing it to collide with a police car parked behind it,” he said in a statement.
“Police then smashed the car window and the suspect tried to resist arrest. However, he was eventually arrested, and the child was saved unharmed.”
Investigations found that the 36-year-old local man had criminal records involving 10 drug cases, two outstanding warrants and five other cases. He is remanded for four days until April 3.
He is being investigated under the Penal Code for vehicle theft and kidnapping, which are punishable by seven years of imprisonment and a fine.
“Police would like to advise members of the public to be more cautious and not to leave their children in their vehicles unattended, especially when the engine is still running.
“Incidents like this can be avoided with more awareness and better safety measures,” added Hamzah. – March 31, 2025