Selangor: The pressure of debt forced an auxiliary cop to turn to crime when he robbed a jewellery shop at a mall in Kota Damansara on Saturday (March 22).

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan stated that the suspect, an auxiliary policeman at a utility company in Selangor, was overwhelmed by a debt of RM20,000, which he felt compelled to repay. The suspect had been employed as an auxiliary police officer for nearly eight years. On the day of the robbery, he was scheduled for a night shift and took advantage of his access by retrieving a gun from his company’s armoury in the morning to execute the crime.

The suspect reportedly used the firearm to commit the robbery before returning it. Police intend to gather more information by interviewing his supervisor and colleagues. Hussein further explained that the suspect acted alone, as evidenced by closed-circuit camera footage showing him conducting surveillance at noon before carrying out the armed robbery in the afternoon.

During the brief 10-minute heist, the suspect brandished a gun and absconded with seven trays of jewellery and cash belonging to a customer. The suspect, aged 32 and married for four years, had no prior criminal record, making this his first known offense.

Hussein revealed that the suspect’s wife resides on the east coast, raising concerns he might attempt to flee there. However, the suspect was apprehended while preparing for his night shift. Police recovered 81 gold chains, an auxiliary police credential card, a backpack, house keys, a sling bag, car keys, and RM1,800 in cash during the arrest.

The suspect is currently in custody until March 29, with the case being investigated under Section 4 of the Firearms (Heavier Penalties) Act 1971. Hussein confirmed that the gunman was captured within 12 hours of the robbery, during which he allegedly stole jewellery worth approximately RM2 million.