Machete-wielding masked robber nabbed after eight-hour search, say Kota Tinggi cops

KOTA TINGGI, July 5 — Police believed they have solved the case of a machete-wielding masked robber, who was on the wanted list for robbing and injuring a woman at a house in Felda Air Tawar 4 here on Sunday, following the arrest of a man in the same settlement.

The suspect was nabbed by a Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team from the Kota Tinggi district police headquarters in the same Felda settlement about eight hours after the robbery.

Kota Tinggi police chief Superintendent Hussin Zamora said the suspect, who is a local in his 30s, was arrested at a house at 9pm.

Following the arrest, he said investigators seized a machete and black clothing that was believed to be used in the robbery that took place earlier on the same day at 12.40pm.

“Investigators also managed to recover a gold bracelet that belonged to the victim.

“We (police) have completed investigations and consider the case solved,” said Hussin in a statement last night.

He was commenting on the arrest of the suspect who had earlier created a stir in the settlement following the mysterious description of a masked robber in black attire.

Hussin said the suspect also tested positive for methamphetamine abuse and had several past criminal records.

He said the suspect’s previous records involved two drug-related offenses and two other criminal cases.

Hussin added that the suspect is currently in police custody and is placed under a seven-day remand period starting Monday to assist in investigations.

“The case is being investigated according to Section 394 of the Penal Code, which is robbery that causes injury.

“Police are also investigating the suspect under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for narcotics abuse,” he said.

On Sunday, the masked suspect, who was armed with a machete, broke into a house in Felda Air Tawar 4 at 12.40pm.

At the time of incident, the house resident, a woman in her 50s, was sleeping in her room. The suspect attempted to choke the woman, but she fell to the floor and a struggle ensued.

The suspect then brandished his machete and hit the victim on her chin, causing injury. He then grabbed the gold bracelet that was worn by the victim before fleeing.

Police later mounted a manhunt for the suspect after receiving the victim’s report.