Man who set off firecrackers in robbery attempt detained

ISKANDAR PUTERI - In an attempt to rob a goldsmith shop, a man had set off firecrackers as a distraction, in a supermarket at Taman Mutiara Rini, here, last night.

Iskandar Puteri police chief Assistant Commissioner Dzulkhairi Mukhtar said the the District Police Headquarters (IPD), here, received information about the incident from a member of the public at about 10pm.

"Initial investigations revealed that the suspect who was unarmed had set off the firecrackers in the middle of the supermarket.

"The suspect was believed to have entered the shop when the rolling shutter was half closed and then he headed straight for the safe at the back of the shop," he said in a statement, today.

He added that the suspect had also punched a 34-year old woman who was the shop manager in the face.

According to Dzulkhairi, the local 33-year old suspect had been arrested at the scene.

"Police seized several items from the suspect including firecrackers, a lighter, a mask and a pair of gloves.

"Checks revealed that the suspect has six previous robbery and car theft records," he said.

The case, he said is being investigated under Section 393 of the Penal Code and the police will bring the suspect to court to obtain a remand order against him.