A pregnant woman in her ninth month bravely exerted her strength to run 50 meters, chasing a thief who snatched her bag while she was in the restroom at a supermarket in Section 23 here last night. The efforts of the 37-year-old woman, who has two children, paid off when the 22-year-old male suspect was successfully apprehended with the help of passersby who also pursued the man after hearing the victim's screams.

Shah Alam District Police Chief ACP Mohd Iqbal Ibrahim said they received a report of the incident from the woman, who works as a factory operator, at 10.57 pm. He said during the incident, the victim had gone to the supermarket alone to buy maternity supplies in preparation for the birth of her third child.

"While the victim was in the women's restroom, she realized that her handbag, which was hanging on the door of the restroom, had been taken by the suspect. The victim then rushed out of the restroom and began to chase and scream for help from passersby, before the man was successfully apprehended along with the victim's handbag," he said in a statement today.

He said the woman did not suffer any injuries and is currently being treated at the Shah Alam Hospital in anticipation of childbirth. Mohd Iqbal said investigations revealed that the man, who works for a water filtration company, has four past records related to crime and drugs.

"The suspect is currently remanded until May 2 for investigation under Section 380 of the Penal Code. Members of the public with information about the incident are urged to contact Assistant Investigating Officer Sergeant Muhammad Fairunizam Puasa at 013-6616 845 to assist in the investigation," he said.

Source: TV3