Parang-wielding duo rob taxi driver, friend during drinks outside eatery

KUALA LUMPUR: A taxi driver and his female friend were held at knifepoint by two men who robbed them of cash and valuables worth about RM3,000 while they were having drinks outside an eatery here recently.

The incident occurred about 4am last Saturday when the 57-year-old man, who only wanted to be identified as Kong, and his 48-year-old female friend were having drinks and chatting outside the eatery in Jalan Riang Ria, Happy Garden, here.

Kong said more than 10 of his friends had been at the eatery earlier, but they gradually left, leaving him and his friend behind.

"By about 4am, there were hardly any people around. Suddenly, two men barged towards us and held parangs to our necks, ordering us not to move and demanding that we hand over our valuables.

"They took our handbags and wallets, causing us to lose RM1,100 in cash, mobile phones, car keys and identification documents, with total losses estimated at about RM3,000," he said when contacted today.

He said among the items stolen was his friend's mobile phone, which she had bought only about two months ago.

Kong added that both suspects were wearing helmets, making it difficult to see their faces clearly.

"They then fled towards the end of the lane, but it was dark and we could not see which direction they took," he said.

Kong said his friend later recalled seeing one of the suspects entering and leaving an electronic gaming centre next to the eatery several days before the robbery.

"She told me that after the incident, the suspect had been loitering around the area. Perhaps they were already looking for a target to rob at the time," he said.

He said the operators of the eatery and the electronic gaming centre had also handed CCTV footage to police.

"The CCTV footage showed that the suspects had been in the area and loitering there for quite some time before the incident.

"The entire incident happened quickly, but fortunately, my friend and I were not injured," he said.

Meanwhile, Brickfields district police chief Assistant Commissioner Hoo Chang Hook confirmed that a report had been lodged and the case was being investigated under Sections 395/397 of the Penal Code for gang robbery and robbery with a weapon.