Kuantan police chief Wan Zahari Wan Busu said initial investigations have identified robbery as the main motive for the murder, Sinar Harian reported.

He claimed that the gold bangle taken from the victim was believed to be worth around RM30,000.

“We also seized a ring, cash, clothes and documents to aid in our probe.

“Investigations are ongoing to determine the actual value of the pawned jewellery,” he was quoted as saying.

According to Wan Zahari, police have also detained a pawnshop worker to assist its investigations and statements will be taken from the suspect and several main witnesses today.

“The suspect was remanded yesterday. Once all the procedures have been completed, we will announce the details of this case,” he said.

The 53-year-old suspect was arrested in a raid on a home in Wakaf Tembusu, Gong Badak, Kuala Terengganu at around 5.30pm yesterday.

Magistrate Nor Izzati Zakaria allowed a seven-day remand application beginning yesterday to allow further investigations to be conducted under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder.

It was previously reported that Norshamira’s body was found at a riverbank near the Tanjung Lumpur bridge in Kuantan on Feb 13, with police suspecting foul play based on the evidence found at the site.

The victim, who managed a cash-on-delivery (COD) food business, was said to have been delivering food to the suspect at the time.