Broke Malaysian overstays in Batam, allegedly robs woman for cash, steals SUV and injures cop before arrest

The suspect, from Melaka, allegedly threatened the 48-year-old woman with an airsoft pistol and a knife before fleeing in her Toyota Rush with valuables worth an estimated 292 million rupiah. — Picture by Raymond Manuel

By Malay Mail

First Published: Monday, 09 Nov 2026 5:34 PM MYT

BATAM, Nov 9 — A 41-year-old Malaysian man has been arrested in Batam, Indonesia, after allegedly robbing a woman at gunpoint with an airsoft pistol, stealing her car and injuring a police officer while attempting to escape last Friday.

The suspect, from Melaka, allegedly threatened the 48-year-old woman with an airsoft pistol and a knife before fleeing in her Toyota Rush with valuables worth an estimated 292 million rupiah (RM73,000), Sinar Harian reported today.

Barelang Police Criminal Investigation Division chief Commissioner Tri Poerbowo said preliminary investigations found that the suspect had entered Indonesia on September 15 for a holiday but overstayed by 10 days after running out of money.

“He then planned a random robbery to obtain money to pay for his return journey to Malaysia,” he was quoted as saying by Indonesian media.

The victim had just paid her vehicle road tax and withdrawn cash from an automated teller machine (ATM) at Harbour Bay before getting into her car.

The suspect allegedly entered the passenger seat unexpectedly, pointed his weapon at her and ordered her to drive to the Bukit Senyum area.

Upon reaching the grounds of a residential development, he forced the victim to transfer money online into his personal bank account.

However, when the woman screamed for help, the suspect panicked, pushed her out of the vehicle and drove off.

A traffic police officer nearby witnessed the incident and gave chase, eventually intercepting the stolen vehicle.

The suspect refused to surrender and pointed his airsoft pistol at the officer before ramming into him, leaving the officer injured.

Police questioning revealed that the suspect had bought the airsoft pistol from an apartment security guard for one million rupiah.

The security guard has also been detained to assist in investigations.

If convicted under Article 365 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code for theft involving violence, the suspect faces a maximum prison sentence of nine years.