A mechanic and two of his staff were injured after a BMW owner drove off with his car, which had been fitted with upgraded accessories, without settling the RM38,000 bill at a workshop in Taman Setia Tropika yesterday.
Johor Baru North police chief, Assistant Commissioner Balveer Singh, reported that the 29-year-old mechanic, who owns the workshop, lodged a police report regarding the incident. According to the mechanic, the 40-year-old BMW owner had initially left his car at the workshop on Saturday, September 7, for upgrades, including new tyres, sports rims, and other accessories, with an agreed-upon total cost of RM38,000.
According to NST, the customer returned to the workshop the following day with another individual, requesting a test drive of the upgraded vehicle. Concerned that the customer might leave without paying, the mechanic instructed his 23-year-old employee to accompany them on the test drive in Taman Bukit Kempas.
During the drive, the customer stopped the car and complained of a knocking sound coming from the trunk. When the workshop employee stepped out to check the vehicle, the customer’s accomplice sprayed him with pepper spray before the duo sped off.
The mechanic, who witnessed the incident, tried to stop the BMW by clinging to the car’s side mirror at a nearby traffic light but was forced to let go to avoid being hit. Meanwhile, another employee, aged 29, attempted to pursue the suspects on a motorcycle but was struck by the fleeing BMW, resulting in a fractured right arm and injuries to his knees and wrists.
The 23-year-old employee suffered eye irritations from the pepper spray, while the mechanic sustained an elbow injury. The total estimated loss from the theft is RM43,000.
The case is now under investigation, with charges including Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder, which carries a penalty of up to 10 years in prison, Section 324 for voluntarily causing harm with dangerous weapons, and Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving.
The police are actively searching for the suspects and urge anyone with information to contact investigating officer Assistant Superintendent Nazarul Izwan Abdul Manaf at 019-381 1817.
