Cops charged with robbery and extortion

Wednesday April 24, 2013 MYT 2:08:17 PM

KUALA LUMPUR: Four policemen have been charged with gang robbery and extorting money from four persons believed to be foreigners.

Azrol Yon Chik, Mohammad Hafiz Md Isa, Mohd Khairil Azli Saud, all aged 27, and Rustamad Awang, 31, were alleged to have robbed Ernawati, Lilis, Arif Hidayattullah and Hendi Ekwanto at Kampung Sungai Pencala on March 12 of RM500 and eight cell phones.

The policemen, ranked L/Kpl and Kpl, are from the Damansara police station.

They also face a second charge of extorting RM3,000 from their victims at the Tropicana Damansara police station on that day.

Azrol and Rustamad face another charge of extorting RM500 from the four at Jalan Penchala Link, Brickfields, at 2.44am on the same day.

The policemen, who face a maximum imprisonment of 20 years and whipping if found guilty, claimed trial to the charges.

DPP Normadiana Mamat asked the court to set bail at RM30,000 in one surety against each accused.

Counsel Nik Muammer Hurrie Mohamad Sukri pleaded for a lower amount, saying the four had turned up in court voluntarily to face their respective charges. He said it would be difficult for them to abscond.

Sessions Court judge Azman Mustapha granted bail at RM7,000 and ordered that the bailor must be their closest family member.

The judge directed the policemen not to have any communication with the victims or risk having their bail revoked. He set April 26 for case management.

The four policemen had pleaded not guilty in the Sessions Court here today to a charge of committing gang robbery and extortion on four Indonesian nationals two weeks ago.