Suspect in elevator spitting incident surrenders to cops
NATION
Monday, 16 Mar 20206:45 PM MYT
GEORGE TOWN: A 63-year-old man surrendered to the police after a video of him spitting at the lift buttons went viral on social media.
In the CCTV footage, the man was caught spitting at the buttons in an elevator believed to be in Sungai Ara, Bayan Lepas.
The man who was carrying a sling bag entered the elevator and pressed a button to get to his unit.
He was then seen counting banknotes in his hand and suddenly spat at the buttons.
Balik Pulau OCPD Supt A. Anbalagan said the man is a worker at a snooker centre, and added that he surrendered himself at the Bayan Lepas police station on Monday (March 16) at around 12.50pm.
“The suspect admitted that he was involved in the incident and further investigations will be carried out, ” he said in a statement on Monday (March 16).
A police report was made by a concerned resident on Sunday (March 15) as he was worried over the health of other residents at the flat and decided to make a police report.
“The man made a report when he saw the footage in the flat’s residents' WhatsApp group.
"He decided to make a report as he was worried for the health of fellow residents due to Covid-19.
Meanwhile, Supt Anbalagan said the suspect did not show symptoms of Covid-19 and was tested negative for the virus.
“The suspect has been detained and might be brought to court on Tuesday (March 17) morning, ” he added.
Supt Anbalagan also urged the public not to do anything that can aggravate the situation, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.
“The public should always maintain personal hygiene in public places.
“We hope that the public are considerate and not do something that could scare other people including sharing fake news."
