Goldsmith shop robbed of RM1mil for second time in two years

SUNGAI PETANI: Four masked men armed with hammers and sharp weapons robbed a goldsmith shop inside a shopping centre here last night.

Two of the suspects broke three display cases and took off with various pieces of jewellery at 7.20pm.

Kuala Muda police chief Assistant Commissioner Hanyan Ramlan said police received a call from the public shortly after the incident.

He said two men entered the goldsmith shop and were believed to have taken gold items before fleeing, while their two accomplices waited about 20m from the premises.

"The actual losses are still under investigation and the figure of between RM700,000 and RM1 million is an initial estimate from the goldsmith shop owner.

"We are still waiting for the complete list of missing jewellery from the premises to determine the actual amount of losses," he said when met at the scene last night.

He said there were two employees in the premises at the time of the incident, but neither was injured.

He said members of the public also tried to help after the incident and several pieces of jewellery believed to have been dropped or left behind by the suspects were found and handed over to police.

He advised the public to be careful and not endanger themselves while trying to help catch criminals, especially if the suspects are believed to be armed.

"We don't know if they have more dangerous weapons. So, public safety must be prioritised.

"At the same time, we welcome information from witnesses, including physical features, body shape, speech or any suspicious information before the incident," he said.

He said the registration numbers of both motorcycles involved are still under investigation, adding that the case is being probed under sections 395 and 397 of the Penal Code, for gang robbery and armed robbery, respectively.

Anyone found guilty under these sections are liable to a sentence of up to 20 years' jail and whipping.

Hanyan said the premises was robbed once before in 2024, with losses at the time believed to have reached about RM1 million.