NST,Tuesday, March 1, 2011
A snatch theft occurred right in front of me on Sunday morning, while I was walking towards my car, from a wet market in the Cheras area.
My wife was ahead of me. Suddenly, a motorcyclist brushed against her and my first thought was, it was an accident.
Then I realised that he attempted to snatch something. When I saw my wife still clutching the purse under her arm, I assumed that he had failed.
I decided to scare the motorcyclist by giving chase and shouting at the top of my voice.
I hoped to alert people ahead but gave up after a short distance.
When I turned back and looked at my wife, she was still rooted on the spot in shock. Then I realised that she could have lost something.
True enough, her necklace was gone. I regretted not looking at the number plate but instead choosing to give the snatch thief merely a scare.
The three occasions when I witnessed female victims running after motorcycle snatch thieves were truly heart wrenching.
I have read many reports of snatch thefts over the years and have been wary of motorcycles with pillion riders ridding their machines with no clear direction.
The incident involving my wife was a real revelation. The thief acted alone and was just as efficient and skillful as a pickpocket.
With stopping his machine, he grabbed my wife’s neck, pulled off the necklace and sped away, almost in one swift motion.
Apart from some light bruises on my wife’s neck and my voice having turned coarse from shouting, we were thankful there were no injuries.
I have known that many victims who did not get help when people at the scene merely looked and stared. In such circumstances, many would not know exactly what happened.
Even victims can be too stunned to react. We should be prepared by being on the alert at all times.
Instead of being paranoid, we should be more careful on our roads to avoid possible accidents and crimes.
Young families with babies or children in tow are particularly vulnerable.
Ladies with flashy handbags would certainly attract snatch thieves like moths to a flame.
YS Chan
Kuala Lumpur
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