This afternoon I was eyewitness -- for the first and I hope the only time -- to a snatch theft in broad daylight, at the busy junction of Petaling Street, Sultan Street and Jalan Hang Jebat, pretty near to the Bali Polis Tun HS Lee. That is a place bustling with tourists, but in retrospect, how come we didn’t see any policeman on patrol?
My friend and I were walking
towards YuYi Book store on Sultan Street, and mind you, we were walking on the wide
pavement of the road shoulder, NOT on the road itself. As we walked, we were
chatting, when suddenly I heard the loud vroom of a motorbike…..Before I knew
it, this bike was already ON the pavement, and the rider was ripping and
pulling off the chains from my friend’s neck! It all happened in a split second…we
were both stunned as we watched the thief speeding away on Jalan Hang Jebat. However,
I did catch a glimpse of the guy, he was dark, rather burly, and in his late 30’s,
not the typical scrawny drug addict. I thought he is Indonesian, but the jaga
kereta boys in the two parking lots nearby told us that he is a local “professional”
who have already preyed on a few people in the past week. So, be very careful
and alert if you are anywhere near that area.
The financial loss was close
to RM 6K, but my friend was more upset by the loss of some lockets of
sentimental value. He also suffered a minor scratch and some redness on the neck that disappeared in nimutes. I on my part could only thank God that nothing worse
happened, as I remember another snatch theft victime, a friend who is ex-principal of
BBGS. In a snatch theft incident in February 2011, she was pushed, hit her
head on the pavement and is now still under medical care and rehabilitation,
unable to speak or walk. I am not even sure if her brain is functioning like
before. L
Fortunately, all is NOT lost.
At the bookshop, my friend discovered that his treasured locket, pendant and
talisman were still trapped and stuck between his belt and t-shirt! These were
items that he has been wearing for the past 40 years or so, which explain why
he never thought of taking off the gold chain. L I too wear a gold chain – which is flimsy and worth a
few hundred ringgit only -- because of two pendants of sentimental value. This incident
is reminder that I should probably replace the chain with a worthless black
string! Who knows, when people are desperate, even a few hundred ringgit is
good enough for them.
We analysed the situation and
concluded that the thief could have observed and stalked us. Or, he could be
stationed there looking out for victims. At the right moment and place, he
moved in and hit his target. He didn’t even need to have an accomplice as the pillion
rider, he was so prepared that he could do it all by himself! We are usually
very alert and wary when we walk by ourselves, but because we were with company
today, we got distracted, thus becoming the easy target. [sigh] This is a costly
but perhaps timely lesson for us. Times are really getting bad…..we must be
more careful.
I must commend my friend for
his calmness, or perhaps nonchalance, “what has happened has happened….the
chain can be replaced, the items of sentimental value are not lost….” So, in spite
of this unfortunate incident, we were still able to go enjoy our wantan noodles
at Koon Kee, and buy our favorite famous durian puffs down the road. His bonus
was, of course, some delicious carrot muffins that a mutual friend has asked me
to pass on to him! J