|
Petaling Jaya, Malaysia: Police arrested a 16-year-old youth yesterday morning in connection with the abduction of Sharlinie Mohd Nashar.
He had demanded RM5,000 together with RM200 pre-paid top-up from Sharlinie's father, Mohd Nashar Mat Hussain, through several phone calls.
Selangor Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Assistant Commissioner II Mazlan Mansor said the youth was detained after Nashar lodged a police report on the matter.
He was remanded for four days to facilitate investigations. Evidence in connection with the case was also seized from the suspect.
Mazlan said the youth had made several calls to Nashar over the past few days with the demands. Police started monitoring the calls made using the suspect's phone to Sharlinie's father.
Petaling Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Arjunaidi Mohamed said the youth was being investigated to determine whether he was involved in Sharlinie's kidnapping and for criminal intimidation under the Penal Code and Multimedia Act.
Arjunaidi said the boy was picked up about 6.30am at his home in Bagan Serai, Perak. He was still sleeping when the police came for him
He said police were also investigating whether the suspect's parents knew about the demands made to Sharlinie's parents.
Arjunaidi issued a stern warning against those who made prank calls to Sharlinie's family.
"Don't try to be funny with us. We mean business and our intention is to save Sharlinie. This will be a lesson to anybody who tries to play games."
Yesterday's arrest was the first which involved monetary demand.
On Sunday night, police detained a 27-year-old Indonesian maid in Johor Baru for giving false information on Sharlinie's whereabouts via the short message service (SMS).
A nationwide operation to save 5-year-old Sharlinie, fondly known as Linie, is being carried out by police contingents in all states.
Arjunaidi said police would also interview the witness who spotted a girl who looked like Linie in Danok, Thailand, as they needed all the information they could from the public.
However, he said police believed the child and the suspect were still in the country.
"We have several leads in the case and are filtering the information."
| 
