Viral door-pry arrest nets two drug-positive suspects

KOTA KINABALU: Police have arrested two local men in connection with a recent theft case in Telipok near here.

District police chief assistant commissioner Kasim Musa said that the incident occurred on Dec 12 at 205pm.

"The incident involved a 56-year-old local woman who lost a crossbody bag containing identification documents, bank cards, a mobile phone, cash, and vehicle keys, with a total estimated loss of approximately RM1,500.

"Further checks revealed that the vehicle involved was a rental car equipped with a GPS tracking system.

"This information was channeled to the police force, and on the same day at approximately 420 PM, personnel conducting Crime Prevention Patrols (RCJ) detected the vehicle.

"A pursuit ensued before the suspects' vehicle crashed, and both suspects were successfully apprehended.

"The video of the arrest currently viral on social media is an authentic recording of the swift action taken by police officers in the line of duty." he said in a statement, referring to a dramatic two-minute dashcam video showing a police officer forcibly prying open a suspect's car door during a chase has gone viral after being shared by Info Lalu Lintas Sabah.


A search of the suspects led to the recovery of the victim's belongings. Initial urine screenings found both suspects, aged 22 and 28, were positive for drugs.

The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code, and the suspects are also being detained to assist in further investigations regarding other cases.

A remand application will be made under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code, alongside recording witness statements and follow-up investigative actions.