12-year-old disabled girl rescued after car theft in Penang
BUTTERWORTH: A 12-year-old disabled girl was rescued unharmed in Butterworth after the vehicle she was left in was stolen from her father's workshop in Penaga late yesterday afternoon.
Seberang Prai Utara district police chief Assistant Commissioner Anuar Abd Rahman said the incident occurred at about 5.30pm, when the girl's mother briefly exited the car to deliver engine oil to her husband's workshop.
He said the vehicle's engine had been left running with the child inside.
"Upon returning, the mother was shocked to find the car and her daughter gone.
"A search was immediately launched by the family with help from a friend.
"Unable to locate the vehicle, the mother used the Life360 app to track her mobile phone, which was with the girl, and traced the location to Bagan Lalang, Butterworth.
"Police from the district's Criminal Investigation Department, assisted by officers from the Butterworth police station, responded swiftly and successfully apprehended a male suspect in his 60s," he said in a statement at midnight today.
Anuar said, fortunately, the girl was found safe and uninjured.
"She was immediately brought to Kepala Batas Hospital for a thorough medical examination," he said.
Anuar said preliminary checks revealed the suspect had a record of seven criminal offences and eleven drug-related offences.
The case is being investigated under Section 379A (theft of a motor vehicle) and Section 363 (kidnapping) of the Penal Code.
Authorities are continuing their investigation to complete the case file.
Those with information on the incident can contact investigating officer Assistant Superintendent Haslinda Rahmat at 04-5762222 (ext. 2275) or the nearest police station.
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