A man in his 30s was arrested in Pasir Gudang, Johor, after allegedly stealing a lorry, refusing to stop for police and ramming a patrol vehicle during a dangerous chase.
The incident happened at about 7:20 a.m. after the lorry was reported missing and suspected to have been stolen in the Plentong area. Members of the public later alerted police after spotting the vehicle in the Tanjung Langsat Industrial Area.
Seri Alam police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Sohaimi Ishak said officers located the lorry but the driver refused to stop and attempted to escape. Police said he drove dangerously and collided with a patrol car before eventually being arrested in Pasir Gudang at about 10:20 a.m.
A video of the incident circulated on social media, showing several police vehicles pursuing a green lorry through the area. The footage was later confirmed by police as being connected to the incident.
Police said a transparent packet containing a substance believed to be drugs was found during an inspection. An initial urine screening also tested positive for methamphetamine.
Authorities said checks showed the suspect had 27 previous criminal and drug-related offences. He is being investigated for alleged vehicle theft, obstructing public servants, dangerous driving and drug-related offences under several Malaysian laws.
Police planned to apply for a remand order at the Johor Bahru Magistrate’s Court on Oct. 1 to allow further investigation.
The case highlights the risks created when stolen vehicles are used during attempts to evade law enforcement, while authorities continue investigating the circumstances surrounding the alleged theft and the suspect’s other offences.
