Seberang Perai Tengah district police chief Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the 32-year-old man was arrested at about 4.30am following surveillance carried out by the police since the beginning of the month.

“On Sept 2, police received a report of a robbery at 1pm in which a female college student and two of her friends, all in their 20s, lost about RM2,500 and were left injured after being tased.

“They had just finished prayers at the St Anne’s church before being approached by a man speaking in a foreign language, who asked for directions,” he said here today.

He said the man followed the three women to the hillside behind the church and then sprayed some liquid into the eyes of the women.

Nik Ros Azhan said the man then grabbed another victim by the neck before placing the taser to her neck but was hit with an umbrella by one of the other women.

“The victims then ran down the hill, still pursued by the suspect. The man seized a bag from one of the victims, containing an iPhone, identification card, driving licence, credit and debit cards and RM500 in cash,” he said.

He said following the arrest of the unemployed man, police seized a taser, a Yamaha Ego motorcycle, walkie-talkie,  motorcycle helmet and backpack.

Police believe the man had been actively involved in criminal activities around central Seberang Perai and Lunas for the past few months. He would use the taser on the victims before running off with their valuables.

The suspect, who was also found positive for drugs, has seven past criminal records. He has been remanded for seven days.

A Taser is the brand name of a type of electro-shock weapon. It delivers an electric shock aimed at temporarily disrupting muscle functions, inflicting pain without causing significant injury.