Cops looking for ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ couple in Lahad Datu

KOTA KINABALU: Police are on the hunt for a modern-day “Bonnie and Clyde” couple who allegedly attacked and robbed two elderly taxi drivers in Sabah’s east coast Lahad Datu district.

In the latest incident on Friday (Sept 8), the couple, in their 30s, boarded a taxi driven by a 67-year-old man at a hotel in town at 6.30am and requested to be sent to Jalan Segama.

While being driven, the couple, believed to be Indonesians, pulled out a knife and demanded for the driver to surrender his money.

Lahad Datu police chief Asst Comm Dr Rohan Shah Ahmad said the driver managed to escape from the vehicle but was eventually knocked down by his assailants who commandeered the taxi before fleeing.

The taxi driver suffered injuries to his neck and body and sustained a broken hip.

Police later found the taxi abandoned at Jalan Putatan.

In an earlier incident at 4.30am on Thursday (Sept 7), a 75-year-old taxi driver was robbed of a wristwatch, a mobile phone and RM160 cash at a back alley of a bank in Lahad Datu.

“We believe the robbery was committed by the same couple,” ACP Rohan said in a statement on Friday.

The victim also had his taxi taken from him, he said, adding the victim incurred RM14,000 in losses.

“He also sustained injuries to both wrists after being attacked with sharp objects.

“Their modus operandi is to pose as passengers and take their potential victims to a secluded area before robbing and hurting them,” he said.

ACP Rohan said police have obtained footage from closed-circuit television (CCTV) recordings as well as photofits of the suspects.

He added that police have also gathered fingerprints from both taxis to aid their probe.

Investigations are being conducted under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code for armed gang robbery which provides for a maximum 20 years in jail and whipping on conviction.

“We advise people who drive taxis, e-hailing vehicles and rental cars to be careful when picking up passengers,” he said.

He urged those with information pertaining to the cases or potential criminal activities to contact the Lahad Datu police hotline at 089-881 255 or district CID chief Asst Supt Kharuddin Husain at 013-907 1709.