[VIDEO] Members Of Public Work Together To Foil Snatch Theft Attempt In Kuching
"I convey my respect to the owner of the black Alza," said a Facebook user.
Several members of the public successfully thwarted an attempt by two men to snatch a woman's handbag in Kuching, Sarawak on Monday, 22 April
According to the New Sarawak Tribune, the incident occurred around 7.55am in Taman Desa Wira, Batu Kawa.
A one-minute-long video of the foiled crime has gone viral on social media, with netizens praising the road users for their quick thinking and heroic action.
In the dashcam footage, one of the suspects can be seen struggling with the victim for her handbag, causing her to fall to the ground, while the other suspect waits on a motorcycle, ready to escape.
Reacting to the scene, the owner of the dashcam sounded their car horn to alert others, leading some cars to block the motorcycle's escape route
In the video, the driver of a Perodua Alza quickly cuts in front of the suspects' motorcycle before getting out of his vehicle to tackle them to the ground. They later chase the suspects on foot.
It was reported that one of the suspects was apprehended by the public, while the other managed to flee the scene.
Both the suspects have since been arrested by the police
According to a statement by Padawan district acting police chief DSP Lim Jaw Shyong, the second suspect was arrested later in the evening on the same day.
Both suspects have been remanded to facilitate investigations.
"The victim, who is in her late 50s, only sustained minor cuts and scratches in the incident, and did not sustain any serious injuries," he added.
The case is being investigated under Section 394 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt while committing a robbery.
The police chief and netizens have also expressed their gratitude to the good Samaritans for their swift action in preventing the crime
"[I convey my] respect to the owner of the black Alza. He was brave to act. And to all the others who helped — you're all heroes, the best," commented a Facebook user.
"Both the owner of the dashcam and the Alza abang acted so quickly, they each knew they had to block the snatch thieves without any form of communication. Bravo," said another user.
Another netizen said in awe, "The style of that Alza, even the passenger came running out of the driver's door."