Tuesday July 21, 2009
Once bitten ...
By A.M. PHANG
WHEN it happened, my reaction was most undramatic. Just an “aiyah,” hardly audible. Any film director would have yelled “Cut!” Perhaps it was because he just nicked the pouch off my fingers, just a slight tug, no use of force. He did not accelerate, but just cruised along, even slowing down for a family.
It was on seeing him going further and further away that I realised that he had taken my important documents! I felt totally helpless and was shivering although the noon sun was beating down on us. This replay of the snatch thief riding off was to haunt me for a whole week. It was always in slow motion. Sort of like a cowboy riding off into the sunset, though this is usually related to romance while the snatch thief is a criminal.
This is the second time I encountered a snatch thief. The first incident happened more than 20 years ago. I was one of the early statistics to this now rampant crime.
It happened at night, in front of a friend’s place after a gathering. I was bruised on my right arm and leg as I was not aware that the cyclist wanted my handbag which was hanging on my right shoulder, and silly me did not know how to let go! My reflex action was to hang on to it for dear life.
Anyway, I guess the cyclist had a strong conscience because a couple of days later, I received my IC and driving licence in the post. One kind snatch thief.
This second snatch thief on a motorcycle turned out to be another one with a conscience. After removing my cash and handphone, he placed my pouch by the side of a car, where the driver would be sure to notice it. To cut the story short, I was contacted and I got back all my documents. Second time lucky? I’m sure it was divine providence.
I do not know of the effects of snatch thefts on other victims, but I am sure theirs would be more traumatic, especially where force was involved and injury sustained. As for me, the second episode resulted in a couple of rather hilarious episodes. The next morning, I left for market without my dentures! Imagine my horror and embarrassment when I opened my mouth and asked for chicken whole legs at my regular poultry stall. I am sure the stallholder’s eyes almost popped out of their sockets.
A couple of days later, I post-dated the parking coupon. I scratched a date which was five days away. The Dewan Bandaraya Ipoh parking enforcement officers would not have been amused. Luckily, we were not caught.
One morning, after lathering the facial wash, I applied it to my hair instead of my face. On second thoughts, all these may not have anything to do with that incident. Perhaps it was just a sign of age catching up, or dementia setting in?
The plus side was that this episode has reinforced my faith in mankind. There are lots of kind souls out there. Thank you, Mr and Mrs Ching, for taking the trouble. Thanks to them, I got back my documents.
I should also thank the two policemen who were beside their patrol car at a hypermarket exit. Though I was only able to describe the colour of the snatch thief’s shirt, they galantly sped off and cuba cari (try to find) as they said.
It was a rather amusing experience for me when making the police report. The officer heard my story and hesitated. I am sure he must have muttered to himself, “If you are unhurt, you got back your IC, driving licence, why do you want to make a report? I got to type it out you know, Ah Soh?”
He then went in to consult his superior, with me reading the big notice behind his seat. It says it is a kesalahan (offence) not to accept a report. Anyway, he came out and dutifully typed out the report, his demeanour changing positively on learning that I am a retired teacher. If he had said it was not necessary, I would have asked him how they keep track of the different types of crime com-mitted in their area, as was dis-played on a big board on the wall.
Does a victim have to be carried in on a stretcher to qualify? Like any other person, I tell myself to be more careful, to be more aware of my surroundings, etc. How careful is more careful? Maybe there is a better way of carrying our money, spectacles, IC, driving licence or phone? Staying home seems to be the better solution. But then some will tell you that even the home is not safe.
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