Police to probe into officer who let go 2nd youth in Low Yat phone fracas

Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar says a probe into the police officer, who released an accomplice of a suspected thief, will be carried out. The alleged theft led to brawls outside the plaza late last night. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Kamal Ariffin, July 13, 2015.

The officer who freed the accomplice of a suspected thief – who allegedly stole a mobile phone at the Low Yat Plaza in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday – will be investigated, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said.

The officer had allowed the accomplice to go at his own discretion but should have referred the matter to his superior before doing so, Khalid told reporters today.

"In a way, yes (he was wrong). But that was his discretion. He did not refer it to his senior officer. He should have.‎

"We will deal with that personally," ‎Khalid said today after a walkabout at the Low Yat Plaza, a popular shopping centre for mobile and computing devices, where brawls last night occurred as groups sought revenge over the alleged theft.

The drama at Low Yat Plaza began on Saturday when it was reported that two youths had visited a shop there to buy a Lenovo S860 mobile phone worth RM799.

The two ran off with the mobile phone when the salesman who attended to them went to get a free gift for the sale.

A chase ensued and mobile phone dealers in another shop caught the suspects and handed them over to the police.

Khalid said today that one of the suspects was let go but one was arrested.

"The one who was freed came back with his gang and caused a ruckus at the shop of those who had caught the duo.

"The innocent shop people who had only helped to apprehend the thieves, were the victims here.”

Last night, about 200 people returned to the plaza forcing authorities to order businesses at the premises to close early.

Police ordered them to disperse but they regroup after midnight and began fistfights outside the building. Helmets and other items were thrown at people and five, including media personnel, were injured.

The Federal Reserve Unit and a water cannon truck were dispatched to the scene.

Several people were detained and police later ordered everyone, including media personnel to disperse, failing which, they were warned that they will be arrested.

- TMI