Cops looking for thief who struck during Maghrib prayers in surau

KUALA LUMPUR: Police are looking for a thief who stole the sling bag of a lorry driver who was praying at a surau here.

Ampang Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Noor Azmi Yusoff said the incident occurred around 7pm on Thursday (Dec 12).

"The 31-year-old victim had just finished a delivery and decided to stop at the Dagang Avenue Ampang Surau to perform his Maghrib prayers.

"He began his prayers with his sling bag at his side

"When he finished praying, he realised that his bag containing cash, documents and a mobile phone was gone," he said when contacted on Sunday (Dec 15).

ACP Noor Azmi said CCTV footage showed that a man had taken the bag while everyone else was praying.

A 13-second video of the suspect stealing the bag has since gone viral, with over 30,000 views.

It shows a man wearing a white T-shirt and red pants, pretending to pray.

He strikes when others are bowing down in prayer (sujud), grabs the bag and immediately stands up and leaves the surau.

ACP Noor Azmi said they were investigating the case as theft.

"Please be cautious of your surroundings and always keep your belongings and valuables safe.

"Do not give an opportunity to unsavoury characters to take advantage of our carelessness," he said, urging anyone with information on the case to contact Sjn Nurhaziq Norizan at 03-4252 4866 or come to the nearest police station. - Star