A mechanic and his two staff members were injured when a man fled from a workshop in his BMW, which had been fitted with upgraded accessories, without settling an RM38,000 bill in Taman Setia Tropika yesterday.
Johor Baru (North) police chief, Assistant Commissioner Balveer Singh, stated that the workshop owner, a 29-year-old mechanic, lodged a police report after the incident.
According to the report, the man had brought his BMW to the workshop on Saturday, September 7, for upgrades, including new tyres, sports rims, and other accessories. The total cost of the upgrades amounted to RM38,000. After agreeing to the price, the 40-year-old customer left his vehicle at the workshop.
According to NST, the customer returned to the workshop on Tuesday, September 10, with another man and requested a test drive of the upgraded BMW. Sensing the possibility of the customer fleeing without paying, the mechanic instructed his 23-year-old employee to accompany the pair during the test drive.
During the drive in Taman Bukit Kempas, the customer stopped the car and complained about a noise coming from the trunk. He asked the workshop employee to check the car. When the employee opened the door, the customer's accomplice sprayed him with pepper spray. The pair then fled, leaving the employee behind.
Witnessing the incident, the workshop owner attempted to stop the suspects by clinging to the car's side mirror at a traffic light junction but narrowly avoided being hit. Another employee, a 29-year-old, gave chase on a motorcycle, but the BMW driver allegedly rammed into him intentionally.
As a result of the attack, the 23-year-old employee suffered eye irritation from the pepper spray, while the 29-year-old sustained a fractured right arm, as well as injuries to his knees and wrists from the collision. The mechanic also suffered an elbow injury during his attempt to stop the suspects. The total losses from the incident are estimated to be RM43,000.
The case is now under investigation for attempted murder under Section 307 of the Penal Code, which carries a maximum prison sentence of 10 years upon conviction. The suspects also face charges under Section 324 for voluntarily causing harm with dangerous weapons and Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving.
Police are actively searching for the suspects and have urged anyone with information to contact Assistant Superintendent Nazarul Izwan Abdul Manaf at 019-381 1817.
Source: NST
