KUALA MUDA: A 26-year-old Nepalese man was arrested by the police for attempting to kidnap a three-year-old girl in Taman Seri Jeniang, Gurun, here today.
During the incident, the victim's father, who had parked his motorcycle by the roadside to pick up a roti canai order, saw the suspect grab the child before stepping back while pointing a knife at her neck.
Bystanders and the victim's father intervened promptly.
Kuala Muda police chief Zaidy Che Hassan said that the police have detained the suspect and seized his employee card along with the knife.
"According to the victim's father, the child was left sitting at the front of the motorcycle alone. Witnesses reported that the suspect rushed towards the victim, grabbed and moved her back a few steps while pointing a knife at her neck.
"The suspect spoke in an unknown language, seemingly asking the victim's father for money to eat. The panicked father tried to calm and persuade the suspect to release the child for a few minutes.
"Seizing an opportunity when the suspect was distracted, onlookers successfully pulled him from behind. With the help of other bystanders and the victim's father, they apprehended the suspect and the victim was rescued," he said in a statement today.
Zaidy reported that the suspect's employer filed a report on November 8, stating the suspect had fled.
"The suspect arrived a month ago to work at a factory owned by Kilang Jimat Jaya Sdn Bhd in Sungai Lalang.
"Due to work-related stress, the suspect escaped from his employer. Initial inquiries suggest that the motive behind the suspect's actions was extreme stress and hunger during the incident, as he had gone several days without food," he added.
Zaidy said that the victim was sent to Sultan Abdul Halim Hospital for further treatment.