BMW Owner Flees Without Paying RM38,000 Workshop Bill, Injures 3 Workers

Source: SAYS

A BMW owner is now wanted by the police after fleeing without paying a RM38,000 bill for car upgrades at a workshop in Taman Setia Tropika, Johor Bahru. In the incident, three workshop employees were injured while trying to stop the suspect from escaping.

According to a statement by the Johor Bahru Utara police, the vehicle was left at the workshop on Saturday, 7 September, for repairs and modifications, with a total cost of RM38,000. The car was fitted with new tyres, sports rims, and other accessories.

On 10 September, the 40-year-old suspect, accompanied by a friend, returned to the workshop to retrieve the car. However, the workshop staff became suspicious when the customer insisted on test-driving the car before making payment.

The workshop owner instructed his employees to accompany the customer during the test drive, fearing the car might be stolen. While driving around Taman Bukit Kempas, the suspect complained about a strange noise coming from the boot and asked the employee to check it.

When the employee opened the boot, the suspect’s accomplice sprayed him with pepper spray, and the duo fled with the car.

One of the mechanics witnessed the event and attempted to stop the suspects by clinging to the side mirror of the car, but he was thrown off at a traffic light junction. Another employee chased the BMW on a motorcycle but was hit by the fleeing vehicle.

The police reported that the three employees suffered injuries during the incident. One mechanic injured his elbow, another experienced eye irritation from the pepper spray, and a third employee fractured his arm and injured his knees and wrists.

The total loss from the incident is estimated at around RM43,000.

The case is being investigated under several charges, including attempted murder, causing harm with dangerous weapons, and reckless driving. The police are urging anyone with information to contact the investigating officer, ASP Nazarul Izwan Abdul Manaf, at +6019-3811817.