LAHAD DATU: A manhunt was launched for a 31-year-old suspect who had escaped from the police while being taken to court for trial.
District police chief ACP Hamzah Ahmad in a statement yesterday said the suspect escaped at the Bulatan Mahkamah area at about 9.30am by jumping out from the rear door of the van.
Hamzah said the suspect who was apprehended under Section 7 (1) of Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapon Act 1958 headed to the bushes.
“The suspect was taken from the Kunak police headquarters and was handcuffed together with another suspect who both sat at the rear side of the van.
“The suspect, Ibrahim Gabra somehow managed to uncuff himself and ran out from the van. The escort later stopped the van and chased after the suspect, but failed as the suspect had run into the bushes,” he said.
Following the incident Hamzah said the Lahad Datu police headquarters immediately launched a manhunt to track down the suspect.
Hamzah said the manhunt included the K9 Unit and a roadblock (Ops Tutup).
The suspect was last seen wearing a pair of camouflaged shorts and a white singlet.
The suspect is believed to have run down the hill and have gone to the rear side of Dewan Tun Mustapha after jumping out from the van.
The suspect is believed to have changed his clothes to civilian clothes as his lock-up attire was found at the area.
According to villagers at Kampung Pancuran, the suspect was seen at the village and had disguised himself as a soldier to borrow a hacksaw from the villagers.
The suspect, failing to borrow the hacksaw which was believed to be used to cut the handcuff, wrapped his hand and the handcuff with a black cloth.
The suspect later fled from the area.