RANAU: Six primary school students experienced a harrowing incident when a man, suspected of car theft, drove away with the vehicle they were in yesterday.
All six children were rescued unharmed after the police, with the assistance of the public, intercepted the car near Kampung Pinousuk, Kundasang.
The police also arrested the suspect in the incident that occurred at 5pm.
Ranau district police chief Deputy Superintendent Simiun Lomudin confirmed that a report had been received about a man driving away with a Proton Persona, with six children inside, in front of a grocery shop near the village.
"Preliminary investigations suggest the suspect attempted to steal the car. However, he was eventually apprehended," Simiun said in a statement.
He added that the case is being investigated under Section 379A and Section 365 of the Penal Code for theft of a motor vehicle and kidnapping or abduction.
Simiun also noted that police received information regarding a video clip capturing the incident, which has since gone viral on social media.
"We are seeking assistance from members of the public with information about this incident to contact the Ranau district police headquarters' Criminal Investigation Division," he said.
Two video clips have gone viral on social media, showing the police, with the help of the public, apprehending the suspect by the roadside, accompanied by the sound of children crying.