PENANG — A man was detained by police for kidnapping a woman, who had refused to be in a romantic relationship with him.

In the 10.30pm incident yesterday (July 21), the 27-year-old suspect visited the 29-year-old victim’s workplace at the Mydin Hypermarket in Bertam and forced her into her Proton Iriz before driving off.

The suspect then drove the victim to a market in Tasek Gelugor, where he tied her hands and locked her inside the car. He untied her 20 minutes later.

An hour later, the suspect contacted his brother and told him what had happened.

The brother met with them, drove them to Pantai Bersih in Butterworth, where he had coaxed the victim not to report the matter to the authorities.

At 4.30am today, the brother drove the suspect to the Kepala Batas police station.

Seberang Prai Utara district police chief Assistant Commissioner Noorzainy Mohd Noor said the incident came to light when the victim’s father went to the hypermarket to look for his daughter at about 11.30pm after she failed to return home from work and was informed by her colleagues that a man had taken her away.

The colleagues said they gave chase but to no avail.

The father then tried to contact his daughter but failed to reach her.

Mr Noorzainy said a witness to the incident, a man, had also tried to stop the car but the suspect sped off.

“Investigation showed the victim did not sustain any injuries. She also did not want to go to the hospital for treatment.

“We arrested the suspect when he surrendered himself at 4.30am today.

“He admitted to (committing) the crime because the victim had refused his advances,” he said today.

Mr Noorzainy said the victim’s father had lodged a report before this and the issue was settled amicably with the suspect promising that he would not disturb the victim anymore.

“However, the suspect took off with the victim this time around although he did not harm her,” he added.

Noorzainy said checks showed the suspect had a previous drug-related offence.

The case is investigated under Section 365 of the Penal Code of Malaysia. NEW STRAITS TIMES