PENAMPANG: A carjacker made off with a retired pilot’s Toyota Hilux with his 88-year-old mother still inside after faking a crash near Kg Notorus along Jalan Tambunan–Kota Kinabalu.
The incident, which occurred around 11.45am on Thursday, involved 64-year-old John Peter Otigil, who was travelling with his mother and sister when their vehicle was rear-ended by a Proton Saga later found to be stolen.
Thinking it was a regular accident, John and his sister got out to check the damage after the other driver claimed he had fallen asleep.
window.googletag = window.googletag || {cmd: []};googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.defineSlot('/22826383987/dailyexpress_inline', [1, 1], 'gpt-passback').addService(googletag.pubads());googletag.enableServices();googletag.display('gpt-passback');});While John was taking photos of the scene, the suspect suddenly jumped into the Hilux and drove off with the elderly woman still seated inside.
John tried to stop the vehicle by clinging onto it but was thrown onto the road, sustaining injuries to his elbow and knee.
He then flagged down a passing car and gave chase.
His mother was later found unharmed by the roadside about 2km from the scene.
John stopped pursuing the suspect and lodged a report at the Penampang police station.
Penampang Police Chief Supt Sammy Newton confirmed receiving a report of the incident, adding that the suspect is believed to have fled the scene through a secondary road in Kg Delima, Penampang.
“The case involves a four-wheel-drive vehicle reported stolen by the complainant. Investigations are under way,” he said in a statement issued on Friday.
Police are urging those with information on the incident to contact Investigating Officer Insp Mohd Anis bin Abdullah at 013-6355734.
Sammy also advised the public not to circulate unverified claims or false information online, as it could disrupt investigations and cause unnecessary concern.
