Thu Sep 12 01:28:54 UTC 2024: ## BMW Owner Flees Johor Bahru Workshop After Refusing to Pay RM38,000 Bill, Leaving Workers Injured

**JOHOR BAHRU** – A brazen BMW owner is on the run after fleeing a workshop in Taman Setia Tropika, Johor Bahru, without settling a RM38,000 bill for upgraded parts and accessories. The incident left the workshop owner and two of his staff injured.

According to Johor Baru (North) police chief assistant commissioner Balveer Singh, the 40-year-old suspect had sent his BMW to the workshop on September 7th, 2024 for the installation of the upgrades. He agreed to pay for the parts upon completion. The following day, the suspect returned with another man and requested a test drive.

Suspicious of the customer’s intentions, the workshop owner instructed his 23-year-old employee to accompany the pair. During the test drive in Taman Bukit Kempas, the suspect suddenly stopped the car and complained about a noise coming from the boot. He then asked the workshop employee to check it out. When the employee opened the boot, the suspect’s accomplice sprayed pepper spray and the pair sped off.

The workshop owner witnessed the incident and attempted to stop the suspect by clinging onto the car’s side mirror at a traffic light junction but was nearly hit. Another worker tried to chase after them on a motorcycle but fell when the suspect allegedly crashed into the 29-year-old worker (as captured in a video circulated on social media).

As a result of the incident, the workshop owner suffered an injured elbow, the 23-year-old worker suffered eye irritation, and the 29-year-old worker sustained a fractured right arm as well as injuries to his knees and wrists. The total loss due to the theft is estimated at RM43,000.

Police are investigating the case under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder, which carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment if convicted. The suspect also faces charges under Section 324 for voluntarily causing harm with dangerous weapons and Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987 for reckless and dangerous driving.

The police are urging anyone with information to come forward and assist with the investigation.

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