Four teens arrested for allegedly strangling, assaulting e-hailing driver over unpaid fare in Alor Gajah
KUALA LUMPUR, May 19 — An e-hailing driver was injured after being strangled and beaten by four teenagers, including two girls, who allegedly could not afford to pay the fare in an incident in Kuala Sungai Baru in Alor Gajah, Melaka, last Thursday.
In the incident at about 12.30am, the 41-year-old victim suffered bruises and swelling on several parts of her body, as well as strangulation marks on her neck after being attacked by the suspects, Kosmo! Online reported today.
Alor Gajah district police chief Superintendent Ahmad Abu Bakar said, based on the report lodged, the victim had picked up all the suspects via a Grab booking in Bukit Rambai to be sent to Kuala Sungai Baru town.
He said the suspects comprised two teenage boys aged 15 and 17, and two teenage girls aged 14.
“Upon arriving near a forested area in Kuala Sungai Baru, one of the suspects asked the victim to stop the vehicle, claiming they wanted to look for someone and also said they had no money to make payment online.
“A few minutes later, three of the suspects — the 17-year-old boy and the two girls — suddenly turned aggressive and attacked the victim,” he said today.
According to him, based on the victim’s statement, the male suspect strangled her from behind, while the two teenage girls hit her with an iron rod and pulled her hair.
“The suspects also threatened the victim not to seek help. Another teenage boy, however, did not enter the car as he had fled the scene.
“The victim later managed to escape by driving away from the location before lodging a police report and seeking treatment at hospital,” he said.
He added that the victim suffered injuries to her nose, neck and both hands due to the struggle.
Ahmad said investigations also found that during the journey, the vehicle stopped twice and the suspects instructed the same route to be taken repeatedly.
He said all the suspects have been arrested and remanded to assist investigations under Section 324 of the Penal Code for voluntarily causing hurt using a weapon or dangerous means.
