KULAI: A man was arrested approximately 12 hours after allegedly committing snatch theft at a restaurant on Jalan Ismail near here.

Kulai OCPD Asst Comm Tan Seng Lee said the incident took place on Sunday (Aug 17) at 7.35am and the suspect was detained at 5.10pm.

“The victim, a local woman in her 50s, was having breakfast at the restaurant and had placed her handbag on a chair,’’ he said in a statement.

ACP Tan said the suspect, riding a motorcycle, suddenly snatched the handbag, and his act was captured on the restaurant’s CCTV.

“The 26-year-old suspect, a local, was detained at a business outlet in Taman Cantik near here,’’ he said.

ACP Tan said the victim suffered a RM1,000 loss in the incident, along with her identification documents and cash.

He said police also seized a purse containing receipts, RM303 and SG$115, a yellow chain, a mobile phone, a motorcycle, a motorcycle key and a helmet.

“The suspect had spent the money, and the bag was burned at an oil palm plantation near his house,’’ added ACP Tan.

He said the suspect had a criminal record, tested positive for methamphetamine and is on the police’s wanted list under Section 15(1)(A) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

ACP Tan said the case is being investigated under Section 392 of the Penal Code deals with robbery and prescribes a penalty of jail up to 14 years, and may also include a fine or whipping.

The video of the incident went viral after it was uploaded by the Facebook account owner KJ Chong at: https://www.facebook.com/share/v/161m6hZQwR/?mibextid=wwXIfr