29-year-old woman under probe for lodging false robbery report

 Miri police say investigators uncovered evidence that the alleged robbery never occurred.

Miri police chief Farhan Lee Abdullah said that when confronted with the evidence, the woman admitted that the report was false, and that the items she claimed were stolen were found in her possession. (Bernama pic)

PETALING JAYA:

Police are investigating a 29-year-old woman who claimed she was robbed at gunpoint by four men in Miri after discovering that the alleged robbery never occurred and that the valuables she reported as stolen were still in her possession.

Miri police chief Farhan Lee Abdullah said the woman lodged a report on May 28, alleging that she was robbed at about 10pm the previous night while alone at the roadside opposite Miri Gospel Chapel Church in Pujut.

In her report, she alleged that she had stopped her vehicle to relieve herself when she was approached by four men travelling in a four-wheel-drive vehicle.

She claimed that one of the suspects pointed a pistol at her before taking a gold necklace, ring, and bracelet, as well as RM350 in cash, resulting in losses of about RM3,130.

Police opened investigations under Sections 395 and 397 of the Penal Code for gang robbery and armed robbery.

However, Farhan said investigators from the Miri police criminal investigation division (CID) later discovered several inconsistencies in the woman’s statement.

“Extensive intelligence gathering and investigations by the CID obtained evidence showing that the robbery reported by the complainant did not occur,” Dayak Daily reported him as saying.

He said that when confronted with the evidence, the woman admitted that the report was false, and that the items she claimed were stolen were found in her possession.

Police subsequently lodged a separate report against her, and she is being investigated under Section 182 of the Penal Code for providing false information to a public servant.

The offence is punishable by up to six months’ imprisonment, a fine of up to RM2,000, or both upon conviction. - FMT