KOTA KINABALU: A man was beaten up after trying to escape with two bottles of shampoo and a lotion he allegedly stole from a hypermarket in Sabah’s east coast Semporna district.

The incident that took place at Jalan Bugaya on Wednesday (Dec 28) was caught on a video, lasting one minute and 36 seconds that went viral on social media.

Semporna OCPD Supt Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah explained that a police report over the theft case was lodged at 3pm on Thursday (Dec 29).

He said a hypermarket staff had tried to stop the 40-year-old suspect who was involved in the thefts of items at the store.

According to the staff, he said, the suspect attempted to flee in a car when he tried to apprehend him.

Following that, he said, several of the hypermarket workers tried to apprehend the suspect who eventually managed to get into the car and drive.

“But the suspect drove recklessly into another car and a van, damaging the vehicles. He was then caught by the workers,” Supt Mohd Farhan said in a statement on Thursday.

He said a kind person had agreed to settle the losses incurred from the theft, as well as the collision involving the vehicles.

“The suspect was then let go after some discussion,” he added.

Supt Mohd Farhan said based on police investigations, the suspect had stolen the two bottles of shampoo and a lotion worth RM126 altogether.

The police also found out that the suspect had 11 previous criminal convictions, he said, adding two were for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of his public functions and theft while the rest were for drug offences.

Subsequently, he said, police managed to track down and arrest the suspect at 4.50pm on Thursday.

The man was being investigated under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft and could face up to 10 years in jail or a fine or both on conviction.

“The police would also like to advise shop owners to come to the station to lodge a report in the event of a theft.

“They should also hand over the suspect as well as stolen goods to the police for further probe,” said Supt Mohd Farhan.

He urged those with information about the incident to contact the acting district crime officer Insp Jamal Tampak at 013-2111667 or the nearest police station.