Malaysian on holiday in Batam arrested for robbery, hurting cop

A 41-year-old Malaysian has been arrested in Batam, Indonesia, after allegedly robbing a local woman upon spending all his money while on holiday on the island.

Agung Tri Poerbowo, head of Barelang police’s criminal investigation department, said the suspect who hails from Melaka arrived in Batam on Sept 15.

“He overstayed for 10 days as he did not have enough money to pay for his trip back to Malaysia. He had come to Indonesia for a holiday but spent all his money.

“The suspect then planned to rob a random person to get the money to return home,” Agung said, according to Berita Harian.

He said the suspect’s victim was a 48-year-old woman who had just withdrawn some money from an ATM. The suspect allegedly entered via the passenger side as the victim returned to her vehicle, and ordered her to drive to a housing area.

He then pulled out an airsoft pistol and a knife before ordering the victim to transfer a sum of funds to his bank account. She then screamed for help, causing the suspect to push her out of the vehicle and drive off with the car and her belongings.

A traffic policeman chased the suspect after hearing the victim’s cries and managed to cut the man off. The policeman suffered some injuries after the suspect rammed him before the suspect was arrested.

Agung said checks revealed the suspect purchased the airsoft pistol from a security guard at a flat for one million rupiah. The guard has been arrested to assist in the investigation.

The suspect is being probed under Article 365 of the Indonesian Penal Code for use of force to rob a person, which is punishable by up to nine years in prison if convicted.