A man allegedly went on a rampage with a machete, damaging five banking machines after failing to withdraw cash from an ATM in Sarikei, before injuring a young man who tried to stop him.
The incident occurred at a bank along Jalan Masjid Lama at about 12.05am yesterday.
Sarikei district police chief Supt Aswandy Anis said the 38-year-old suspect allegedly damaged two automated teller machines (ATMs), two cash deposit machines (CDMs) and a cheque deposit machine.
Initial investigations found that the suspect was believed to have acted out of frustration after being unable to withdraw money. He also admitted to being intoxicated at the time, Aswandy said.
“After the incident, the suspect is believed to have fled in a Toyota Hilux, driving against the flow of traffic before crashing into a road divider along Jalan Masjid Lama,” he said in a statement yesterday.
In a separate incident nearby, a 21-year-old man suffered serious injuries to his left hand after allegedly being struck with a machete by the suspect while attempting to stop him.
The victim was subsequently taken to Sarikei Hospital for further treatment.
Aswandy said the suspect later surrendered at the Sarikei police station. Police also seized the Toyota Hilux and a machete believed to have been used in the incident.
A urine screening test found the suspect positive for ketamine and benzodiazepine. Police checks also revealed that he had no previous criminal record.
The case is being investigated under Sections 427 and 326 of the Penal Code, Section 45(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
