Three cops among seven charged with armed robbery of money changer outlet

GEORGE TOWN: Three policemen were among seven people charged at the Sessions Court here on Friday (July 24) with robbing a moneychanger outlet on Pitt Street here last week.

The accused carted away almost RM50,000 in foreign currency at gunpoint.

The three policemen, Lance Corporal Nazarudin Abdul Manan, 36; Corporal Khairul Hisham Hamzah, 42; and Corporal Wan Abd Rahim Md Shariff, 36, are attached to the Batu Gajah police district headquarters.

The three pleaded not guilty when the charges were read out.

Corporal Wan Abd Rahim’s twin brother, Wan Abd Rahman, a civilian, was also charged.

Indonesians Mohamad Sahar Ismail, 43, Guno Sutowo, 24, and Iis Sutejo, 29, were also charged with armed robbery involving cash and coins, including a projector worth a total of RM47,200.

They are said to have committed the offence at MSKM Mohamed Haniffa Forex, 59, Pitt Street here at 9.45pm on July 14.

The offence carries a maximum 20 years’ jail sentence and whipping under Sections 395 and 397 of the Penal Code for armed and gang robbery with an attempt to cause death or grievous hurt.

All seven men pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Deputy public prosecutor Farah Aimy Zainul Anwar proposed no bail be granted, saying it was a non-bailable offence.

Lawyer Mohd Khairul Hafizuddin Ramli, who represents the Malaysians in the case, pleaded for a low bail amount, saying his clients would attend court proceedings.

Judge Mazdi Abdul Hamid allowed bail of RM10,000 with one surety for the five Malaysians in the case.

He also ordered the accused to report to the nearest police station monthly until the disposal of the case.

Mazdi also ordered the suspects not to contact the complainant or the prosecution witnesses in the case.

He then set Aug 28 for mention. The Star