A 27-year-old lorry assistant was caught yesterday by police after he was believed to have carried out a series of armed robberies at 24-hour convenience stores around the Melaka Tengah district, allegedly driven by mounting personal debts.
The suspect was arrested at Solok Bukit Bayan in Bukit Katil at about 3.30pm, following coordinated police efforts that also helped solve six robbery cases involving total losses estimated at around RM1,500.
Melaka Tengah Acting District Police Chief Superintendent Halim Abas said investigations showed the suspect would target convenience stores by posing as a customer before committing the robberies.
He was said to have entered the premises pretending to make purchases before pulling out a knife and threatening staff to hand over cash, after which he would flee using a motorcycle parked nearby.
Authorities described the case as part of a worrying trend where financial pressure is increasingly linked to opportunistic violent crimes, particularly in retail environments that operate late at night.
Police confirmed that all six robbery cases were committed within the same district before the suspect was successfully tracked down through intelligence gathering and information from the public.
Preliminary checks showed the suspect tested negative for drugs, while police records also indicated he had no prior criminal history.
Despite this, the suspect reportedly admitted to carrying out the offences, claiming he was burdened by debts involving loan sharks and other creditors.
The case is being investigated under Section 392/397 of the Penal Code for robbery and armed robbery, which carries a maximum sentence of up to 14 years in prison, in addition to fines or whipping upon conviction.
Police have urged the public to seek lawful channels when dealing with financial hardship and warned that resorting to crime will lead to serious legal consequences.
