Quick-thinking gold shop manager foils robbery attempt in Sabah, Malaysia

MALAYSIA: The swift thinking and courageous actions of a manager at a gold jewellery shop successfully thwarted a robbery attempt in Lahad Datu, Sabah, Malaysia on Monday morning (8 Jan).

The incident was captured by the premises’ closed-circuit television (CCTV) and subsequently shared on various social media platforms.

According to Lahad Datu OCPD Assistant Commissioner Rohan Shah Ahmad, a suspect believed to be wielding a fake pistol targeted the shop at 8.39 am as the manager was preparing to start business for the day, as reported by Malaysia’s The Star.

The assailant suddenly revealed an object resembling a pistol and handed a red cloth bag to the manager, instructing them to place the gold items inside.

Undeterred, the manager displayed remarkable bravery by hurling a steel stick, coincidentally a ring size measuring tool, at the suspect.

This quick action brought the attempted robbery to an immediate halt.

In response, a team from the district police’s criminal investigation division (CID) promptly arrived at the scene for further investigation.

Active efforts are underway to locate the suspect, described as having a stout build, an estimated height of five feet five inches, and an age range in the forties, based on the CCTV recording.

The investigation of the case falls under the jurisdiction of Section 393/397 of the Penal Code.

If proven guilty, the individual could face a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison, accompanied by the possibility of corporal punishment through caning.