An anchovies seller, who allegedly stole a police patrol vehicle from the Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) district police headquarters (IPD) on Saturday, was charged with six offences at the Butterworth Magistrate’s Court today.
Mohamad Azrullah Mohd Rodzi, 33, pleaded not guilty before Magistrate M Kalaiarasi to all the six offences which include attempted robbery, impersonating a policeman, vehicle theft and robbery.
Azrullah, from Bukit Mertajam, appeared confused during the proceedings.
According to the first charge, he attempted to rob Tang Chye Hong, 49, a phone seller at a shop in 2377, Jalan Permatang Manggis, Tasek Gelugor at about 10pm on Oct 24.
The charge, framed under Section 393 of the Penal Code, carries a maximum seven years’ imprisonment and fine upon conviction.
Azrullah was also charged with impersonating a police officer with the intention to arrest the same man at the same place and time.
The charge, under Section 170 of the Penal Code, carries imprisonment for up to two years or fine or both, if found guilty.
He was further charged with stealing a police mobile patrol vehicle (MPV) at the North Seberang Perai police headquarters, Kepala Batas at about 9.15am on Oct 24.
He faces a maximum seven years’ jail and fine, if found guilty of this offence.
The accused was also charged with impersonating a police officer with the intention to steal a police MPV at the same time and place.
The charge, under Section 170 of the Penal Code, carries imprisonment for up to two years or fine or both, if found guilty.
In the fifth charge, he was accused of stealing two handphones from Nurul Atieka Mazlan, 21, on Oct 24 at about 10am at Kedai Vivo in Pokok Sena, Tasek Gelugor.
This charge, under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft, carries a seven-year jail sentence or a fine, or whipping or all upon conviction.
He was also charged with impersonating a police officer with the intention to steal the handphones from Nurul.
The charge, under Section 170 of the Penal Code, carries imprisonment for up to two years or fine or both, if found guilty.
Deputy Public Prosecutor Aisyah Al Humairah Kamaruzaman prosecuted while the accused was represented by lawyer Muhaimin Hashim, who had requested his client to be sent to Hospital Bahagia, Ulu Kinta in Perak today for mental evaluation for a month which was allowed by the court.
The accused was also represented by another lawyer, Arafas Abdul Razak.
Kalaiarasi allowed bail totalling RM17,500 for all charges with three sureties with an additional condition that the accused is not allowed to harass the victims.
The magistrate set Nov 27 for mention and handover of documents.
Meanwhile, police have launched an internal probe on its officers and personnel over the Honda Civic 1.8S patrol vehicle, which was stolen on Saturday night.
Stressing that they had nothing to hide, district police chief Assistant Commissioner Noorzainy Mohd Noor vowed stern action would be taken against officers and personnel found negligent in the incident.
“Investigations are ongoing. All officers and personnel involved will be called up to have their statements taken for us to determine possible elements of negligence in the incident.
“I just want to say that we have never stopped investigations against (the police), and that our probe will be transparent.
“If there are elements of negligence, stern action, including disciplinary action, will be instituted against those involved,” he told newsmen today.
It was reported that police had arrested two siblings and a woman, believed to have been involved in the theft of the MPV from the Seberang Prai Utara district police headquarters.
Noorzainy also said further probe by police into the incident revealed that the 21-year-old woman arrested was merely a victim of circumstances.
“She is not the girlfriend of the elder sibling, who was arrested with her inside the car in Shah Alam, as widely speculated by netizens.
“In fact, she was taken away by the elder sibling from her workplace in Tasek Gelugor after he impersonated a police officer.
“The elder sibling had also taken two cellphones and some money belonging to the woman and had threatened to harm her if she did not follow him,” he added.
Noorzainy said the woman was released on bail on Monday and had lodged a police report over the incident.
He added that the elder sibling, with nine previous records for crime and drug-related offences, had acted the way he did because he wanted to meet his wife in Klang,” he said, pointing out that the elder sibling suffers from mental problems.