Mobile Messages Lead Police To Missing Child
By Azian Othman

Bandar Seri Begawan - A flurry of short message service (SMS) that crisscrossed hundreds of mobile phone users in the country yesterday morning helped to find a stolen saloon car with a five-year-old girl inside.

The car was taken away by an unidentified man, who is still at large, when the mother was buying breakfast meal, `Nasi Bungkus', at one of the food stalls near the KACA building of the RIPAS Hospital in the capital around 6.45 am yesterday, the police said.

The car, a white Nissan Bluebird bearing registration number KG 4007, was stolen and driven away by the suspect along with the child.

The police said the white car was found when the father of the child's friend identified the car and the child in Sungai Kebun area, which is about 30 minutes drive from the capital.

The police said an Investigation Officer of the Central Police Station in the capital received a report of car theft around 7.03am. At the same time, the message was spread to the public through SMS seeking their assistance in tracing the stolen car with the child inside.

The SMS read: "Askum, Plse pass to kwn2. Tolong liat2 kan kereta hilang di curi pagi tadi bersama anak kecil inside: Nissan Bluebird Puteh. Pls. contact the nearest police station" (Please forward this message to dear friends in identifying a stolen car with a small child in it. Those who knew the car's whereabouts are asked to contact the nearest police station).

The Bulletin was inundated with calls and SMS inquiring and asking for confirmation whether the incident was true and not spread by rumour mongers.

The girl has been sent to RIPAS Hospital for examination. It is learnt that the child was found safe and sound and reportedly unhurt but appeared traumatised by the ordeal.

The stolen car has been seized by the police, who have launched an investigation. In view of this, the police are seeking assistance and cooperation from the public. Those who have any information should contact the Investigation Officer of the Central Police Station at 2242334 or hotline 993 or contact the nearest police station.

Following the incident, some members of the public expressed their concerns over the lax attitude of certain parents, who leave their children inside their cars unattended when going to ATM machine or to buy food.

"The children may lock themselves inside the car and this poses a potentially dangerous situation," said a concerned parent. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

Click Here To Have Your Say On This Story

Brudirect.com News