Quick action by public foils kidnap attempt

SUNGAI BULOH: Quick action by the public foiled an attempted kidnap of a businessman's daughter on Tuesday.
The drama unfolded when the 28-year-old victim, who was about to get into her car, was dragged away by two abductors, in their 20's, to a waiting van at Jalan Sierramas Utama here at 6.30pm.
Sungai Buloh district police chief Supt Dr Abdul Aziz Awang Darus said the victim, a manager in her father's firm, was with her maid and about to return home after finishing work.
"The incident took place right in front of her father's garment factory and an international school where numerous passers-by were present.
"The victim put up a struggle and shouted for help. The suspects panicked and tried to escape with her in their van," Abdul Aziz told a press conference at the district police headquarters here yesterday.
A high-speed chase then ensued with the public hot on the heels of the abductors.
After almost 4km, the abductors pushed the victim, whose hands were tied with rope, by the side of the road at Batu 15 some 10 minutes later.
Some of the witnesses stopped their vehicles to help the victim who suffered some bruises on her hands and legs.
After a further 1km chase, the driver of the van lost control of the vehicle and swerved to the side of the road before crashing it into a ravine.
"A fire then started and engulfed the whole car," Abdul Aziz added.
"The passersby immediately apprehended the duo and handed them over to the Sungai Buloh police patrol unit which had reached the scene by then.
Following interrogation, the suspects revealed that they had been following the victim for the past month and wanted to use the ransom to pay off one of the suspect's debts.
Two machetes, a pocket knife, a luggage bag, ropes and a note were seized from the suspects.
"The note, written in Chinese, reads that if the guardian of the victim fails to pay a RM5 million ransom, the victim would be killed," said Abdul Aziz, adding that investigators believe that the suspects panicked and forgot to throw the note out when they abducted her.
He said the suspects are from Selayang and Kepong and one of them has debts with loan sharks and was a gambler in Macau.
He said police also found that the suspects stole the van before pulling off the crime.
The suspects were remanded at Shah Alam Sessions Court yesterday and the case is being investigated under Section 365 of the Penal Code for kidnapping and abduction.