VIDEOS of citizen’s arrests often go viral on social media and one such video making the rounds shows a suspect descending a set of stairs while being confronted by a homeowner.
Captions and comments on the viral video claim that the suspect had burglarised a home in Batu Maung, Penang, and was nabbed by the homeowner and friend when he returned to the scene of the crime to retrieve personal belongings he had left behind.
Is it true that a burglar was nabbed in Batu Maung after returning to the scene of the crime?
VERDICT:
TRUE
Southwest OCPD Asst Comm Sazalee Adam confirmed the incident, telling Bernama that the suspect had been nabbed on Monday (Aug 4).
He told Bernama that initial investigations revealed that the suspect had entered the house through the back door while a domestic worker was outside disposing of the trash.
“When the suspect noticed the homeowner’s presence, he tried to escape but later returned to collect some items he had left behind.
“The homeowner and a friend managed to apprehend the suspect and handed him over to a police patrol unit (MPV) in Zone 3, Batu Maung,” he said in a statement Monday.
The suspect tested positive for methamphetamine, amphetamines, and benzodiazepines in an initial urine test.
He also has a prior record of drug-related offences.
“He will be brought before a Balik Pulau Magistrate’s Court tomorrow (Aug 5) for a remand order,” ACP Sazalee said, adding that the case is being investigated under Section 448 of the Penal Code.
Earlier, a 25-second video of the incident went viral on social media, showing the suspect descending the stairs while the homeowner confronted him.
Police traced the video, which had been uploaded to a Facebook account, at 4pm Monday. – Bernama
