Pregnant mother hides behind counter as sword-wielding robber strikes jewellery shop

PETALING JAYA: A pregnant mother of three, Yani, 40, hid behind a counter in fear during a robbery at a jewellery shop in Damansara Damai yesterday. Working next door at a dessert shop, she heard commotion and immediately sought safety behind the counter, fearful and unaware of the unfolding situation. Only when the man had fled did she hear workers scream "robber, robber."

Yani, new to the dessert shop for just two months, had never expected such an incident there. She managed to catch a glimpse of the suspect leaving, a man dressed in a black raincoat, black pants, and a helmet. What surprised her was his deliberate slow pace, walking away instead of running. The suspect was armed with a sharp object resembling a samurai sword, approximately two to three feet long, which he had dropped inside the shop before leaving.

Yani believed the suspect targeted the jewellery shop due to inadequate security, noting the absence of a security guard. She also suspected the robber intentionally chose to strike during Friday prayers, aiming for fewer people in the area. At the scene, supermarket employee Lim, 51, witnessed the suspect leaving, noting he was fully covered and wore a face mask and helmet, making identification difficult.

Lim could not intervene due to recent health issues, expressing concern about the suspect's potential for harm. District police chief Assistant Commissioner Shamsudin Mamat stated that investigators had recorded statements from employees and multiple witnesses to aid the investigation. CCTV footage analysis was underway to determine the suspect's escape route following the incident.

Police are actively pursuing the suspect, who had fled with over RM300,000 in jewellery. An investigation has been opened under Penal Code Sections 392 and 397, and the police are continuing efforts to locate the culprit. Any information can be reported to the nearest police station or Petaling Jaya district police headquarters at 03-7966 2222.