Insurance agent’s arm hacked off in robbery

Post date: Jun 15, 2010 6:40:49 AM

Tuesday June 15, 2010

By WINNIE YEOH

winnie@thestar.com.my>winnie@thestar.com.my

GEORGE TOWN: A group of parang-wielding men hacked off the arm of an insurance agent here and made off with it still holding onto an envelope containing RM5,500.

However, police believe it could be a case of mistaken identity after it was learnt that the 35-year-old victim, who is from Kulim, had heard one of his assailants uttering the word silap (mistake) during the incident.

The agent was walking to his car after having supper at a coffeeshop in Jalan Bukit Maju 2, Bukit Mertajam, when he was ambushed by at least three men at about 11.30pm on Sunday.

Penang deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm (I) Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said the victim’s left arm was hacked off when he tried to deflect blows from his assailants.

“They carried away the arm with the envelope still in the hand and sped off in a car.

“There were three rings on his fingers, one of which was recovered at the scene. It was unlikely that the rings were the target as they were only worth a few hundred ringgit,” SAC Tun Hisan said yesterday.

He said police were investigating the case under Section 394 of the Penal Code for causing hurt during a robbery, which provides for a jail term of up to 20 years with a fine or whipping.

“The victim is now warded at a private hospital where his condition is stable. Those with information on the case are urged to call the Rakan COP hotline at 04-269 1999 or any police station,” he said.