Monday January 14, 2013

Escapee nabbed at cyber cafe

BUKIT MERTAJAM: It's five down and two to go as the manhunt for the detainees who escaped police custody on Monday enters day seven.

The latest escapee was captured at a cyber cafe in Berapit, near here, a few hours after he held a 19-year-old youth hostage to prolong his freedom.

Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi said Mohd Khairulnizam Abdul Rani, 26, had gone to his friend's house in Bukit Indera Muda in Permatang Pauh on Saturday to look for transport to go to Kuala Lumpur.

“While he was waiting outside the house, his friend tried to contact the police,” he said.

DCP Abdul Rahim said at this juncture, Mohd Khairulnizam suspected something amiss and grabbed a parang before holding his friend's son, Mohd Khairul Anas Fadli, 19, hostage.

He then forced the youth to take him away on a motorbike.

“A few hours later, Mohd Khairulnizam was spotted at a cyber cafe,” said DCP Abdul Rahim.

He did not put up a struggle during the 1.15am ambush yesterday. Police recovered the parang and the motorbike at the cyber cafe.

“Based on our investigation, Mohd Khairulnizam had wanted to flee to Kuala Lumpur but he had no money or transport to do so,” he said, adding that the case was being investigated under Section 363 of the Penal Code for abduction.

Short-lived freedom: (From left) Mohd Sharimy, Farid and Mohd Khairulnizam returning to the lockup after police obtained a remand order.

Mohd Khairul Anas, who was unhurt, was earlier ditched by the roadside in Kubang Semang, DCP Abdul Rahim told reporters at a makeshift operations centre in Taman Sepadu near here, yesterday.

Earlier on Saturday night, one of the fugitives, Farid Akhtar, 24, was caught while buying food at a shop in Kampung Petani in Kubang Semang at 9.15pm, and another escapee, Mohd Sharimy Nor, 28, had surrendered himself at the Penanti market about an hour later.

With the latest arrests, police have narrowed down the hunt to Hissham Abdul Rahman, 39, and Hamzani Abdul Rahman, 37, who are still at large.

Two others, Mohd Fairus Adam, 31, and his sidekick Mohd Noor Ahmad Mustafa, 28, were killed in a shootout with police last Thursday at Kampung Padang Ibu in Penanti.

They were among seven detainees who escaped custody after throwing curry powder at their escorts last Monday.

Related Story:
I knew he was bad news, says teen hostage

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Monday January 14, 2013

Escapee nabbed at cyber cafe