Gutsy man risks life fighting off armed intruder
KOTA KINABALU: A 24-yearold man risked his life fighting off an armed robber in a valiant effort to protect his mother and sister at a housing estate in Inanam last week.
The incident happened around 5 am on June 10 when the victim was awakened from his sleep by noises coming from inside his home.
Curious, the man went to investigate only to be confronted by the intruder who was armed with a machete.
As the only man in the house at that time and with his 59-yearold mother and 31-year-old sister sleeping in their respective rooms, the victim decided to put up a fight but suffered numerous cuts on his head, ribs, waist and arms.
His sister came to his aid but sustained head injury before the intruder was forced to flee emptyhanded by climbing over the fence into the nearby bushes.
The victim was badly injured and was found lying on the car porch covered in blood.
The siblings were taken to a hospital by a neighbour and they lodged a police report after receiving treatment.
Meanwhile, city police chief ACP M. Chandra said acting on the police report, description of the suspect, continuous investigation and tip-off from members of the public, the police arrested the suspect nine days later.
“The suspect was arrested at a petrol station in Manggatal around 1.05 pm on June 19.
“The suspect also brought police to a bush at Taman Bukit Hijau, Jalan Tuaran Bypass where he hid the machete used in the attempted robbery,” said Chandra.
Besides seizing the 47-centimeter machete, police also seized a 44centimeter iron rod that had been modified,” said Chandra.
The 34-year-old suspect, who also tested positive for drug abuse, will be remanded until June 26 to be investigated under Section 394 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt while committing robbery.
Chandra, who met with the victim and his sister at the Karamunsing police headquarters here recently, praised both siblings for their courage in defending against the armed suspect.
He also said that the information and description provided by the victims to the police had helped in the arrest of the suspect.
Chandra also thanked the public for providing information to the police which led to the suspect's arrest.