KOTA KINABALU: Police in Sabah’s east coast Lahad Datu district are currently searching for a couple known as the modern-day “Bonnie and Clyde” who allegedly assaulted and robbed two elderly taxi drivers.
In the most recent incident on September 8, a couple in their 30s got into a taxi driven by a 67-year-old man at a hotel in town at 6.30am and requested to go to Jalan Segama. While on the ride, the couple, believed to be Indonesians, brandished a knife and demanded the driver to hand over his money.
The driver managed to escape from the vehicle but was eventually knocked down by the attackers, who then took control of the taxi and fled the scene, according to Lahad Datu Police Chief Asst Comm Dr Rohan Shah Ahmad. As a result, the taxi driver suffered injuries to his neck and body, as well as a broken hip. The abandoned taxi was later found at Jalan Putatan.
Furthermore, on September 7 at 4.30am, a 75-year-old taxi driver was robbed of his wristwatch, mobile phone, and RM160 in cash at a bank’s back alley in Lahad Datu. “We believe the couple responsible for the second incident is the same as in the first,” stated ACP Rohan. In addition, the victim’s taxi was seized, resulting in losses amounting to RM14,000. The victim also sustained injuries to both wrists from the sharp objects used in the attack.
“They typically pretend to be passengers and subsequently take their targets to secluded areas before robbing and harming them,” ACP Rohan described their modus operandi. CCTV footage and photofits of the suspects have been obtained by the police, who have also collected fingerprints from both taxi vehicles to assist with their investigation.
The cases are being investigated under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code for armed gang robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison and whipping. “We advise taxi, e-hailing, and rental car drivers to exercise caution when picking up passengers,” ACP Rohan advised. He urged anyone with information about the cases or potential criminal activities to contact the Lahad Datu police hotline at 089-881 255 or the district CID chief Asst Supt Kharuddin Husain at 013-907 1709.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
