Police are hunting two men believed to be involved in a theft at a budget rice stall in Meru Raya after the shocking incident was caught during a TikTok livestream on Thursday.
The case quickly went viral on social media after a one-minute and 25-second video recording, believed to have been captured by the victim herself while streaming live on TikTok, spread widely online.
Ipoh district police chief, Assistant Commissioner Muhammad Najib Hamzah, confirmed that police received a report regarding the incident, which took place at around 12 noon by the roadside along Jalan Lebuh Meru Raya.
According to him, the 21-year-old female victim was operating her food stall when two men arrived on a Yamaha Y15ZR motorcycle.
“Initial investigations found that both suspects stopped at the stall to buy food,” he said in a statement on Thursday.
“However, while the victim was busy packing rice, the suspects allegedly stole a cash box containing cash as well as the victim’s iPhone 13 before fleeing towards the Meru Raya roundabout on the motorcycle.”
Police estimated the victim suffered losses amounting to around RM2,000, involving both cash and the mobile phone.
The case is currently being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft, while authorities are actively tracking down the suspects.
Police have urged members of the public with any information regarding the incident to contact the Ipoh district police headquarters operations room at 05-2451500 or visit the nearest police station.
The viral video has also sparked outrage among netizens, many of whom condemned the suspects’ actions and expressed sympathy towards the young trader trying to earn an honest living through her small roadside business.
Some social media users described the theft as cruel and irresponsible, especially considering the victim was working hard to make a living when the incident occurred live in front of viewers.
