Ex-convict runs amok, takes siblings hostage

KLANG: Police nabbed an ex-convict and drug addict who went amok and held his siblings hostage in a shophouse at Bandar Bukit Tinggi here on Saturday.
South Klang district police chief ACP Shamsul Amar Ramli said police were alerted to the incident at about 7.30pm and both police and fire and rescue department personnel rushed to the scene upon receiving the distress call.
"The suspect, 28, who was armed with a knife and a pair of scissors, held his 17-year-old younger brother and 38-year-old elder sister captive for more than three hours.
"Preliminary investigations revealed that before the incident, the suspect was involved in an argument with another elder brother, and that triggered the suspect to act criminally," he said in a statement today.
Shamsul Amar further revealed that checks on the background of the suspect found that he is a registered mental patient with psychiatric check-up history.
"During the incident, one of the siblings managed to escape by jumping out the window to safety. However, he broke his leg and was sent to the hospital for treatment," he added.
The two siblings were finally rescued by police and the Fire and Rescue Department after negotiating for three hours with the suspect.
"The woman sustained injuries on her left hand. We believe the suspect slashed her hand during the incident," he said.
The suspect was arrested and later remanded for three days.
Shamsul Amar said the suspect was released from prison only two weeks ago following a drug-related case.
The case is being investigated under Section 506 and Section 324 of the Penal Code for criminal intimidation and for causing hurt respectively.