Police arrest one suspect, aged 20, in Tambunan; hunting for another 29 year old suspect who forcibly took away female student on way to church at Kingfisher Park in KK
KENINGAU:
Police have rescued the abducted Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) student from Sarawak after a high speed chase which began from here to Kampung Rompon in Tambunan yesterday. The driver of the Perodua Kancil lost control of the vehicle during the chase causing it to skid and overturn near the village about 12.15pm. Police chasing the vehicle managed to apprehend a 20-year-old youth but another man who was in the car with him managed to evade capture by running into the jungle around Kampung Rompon, Kota Kinabalu District Police Chief ACP Ahmad Sofi Haji Zakaria said. Ahmad Sofi who gave a press conference here yesterday, said police were now tracking down the 29- year-old man who has been identified as Mohd Ariffin Bidin from Kampung Tarap, Bongawan to facilitate investigations into the case. According to him, police received a report about the 22-year-old student being abducted by two men in a Perodua Kancil about 9.15pm on Tuesday night. “The girl was on the way to church with a group of friends at Kingfisher and was walking behind when she was dragged into the vehicle which sped off prompting her friends to lodge a police report on the incident,” He said through swift follow-up action by the police, the vehicle was spotted in town here yesterday and a chase involving 20 police personnel ensued. The vehicle later skidded and overturned. The victim who was in shock, has been sent to the district hospital for treatment, he said, adding that this was the first such case this year. Initial police investigations revealed that the abduction was the work of the two individuals and did not involve any syndicates. “We are now investigating the motive of the abduction,” he said and assured the public that a manhunt has been launched to track down the second suspect and it will be ongoing until the man is apprehended. According to him, the suspect’s photograph will be distributed to all the police stations throughout the State to allow easy identification and those who have any information of the suspect can contact the Kota Kinabalu district police station at 088-242111 or any nearest police station. Ahmad Sofi also advised women not to walk alone in isolated and dark areas to avoid similar incidents from occurring. He thanked the people of Kampung Rompoi for their assistance and believe that with their help, the suspect will be apprehended soon. Also present at the press conference were District Police Chief DSP Zahari Mohammad and police officers from Kota Kinabalu and Keningau.
