Brickfields police chief Hoo Chang Hook said the suspect was taken into custody at 7.12pm yesterday after the woman, 20, filed a report.

Hoo said the woman was hanging her laundry at about 3pm when she heard the grille door to her home being opened. She ignored it, thinking it was her housemate.

The suspect suddenly confronted her. In a struggle, she suffered bruises and scratches on her left thigh, lips and hands.

“The suspect threatened to kill her and demanded money.

“When the victim tried to call for help using her mobile phone, the suspect seized it. He left when she refused to provide the  password,” Hoo told Sinar Harian.

Police seized three mobile phones, including the victim’s, a backpack, a laptop, a shirt, a pair of pants and a pair of sandals from the suspect.

Hoo said the man had admitted involvement in several previous cases under Section 394 of the Penal Code (for voluntarily causing hurt during a robbery) and Section 380 (for theft).

The suspect has 19 convictions for criminal and drug offences.

“He claimed he committed the robberies to cover his daily expenses,” he said.

The man, who tested positive for cannabis, has been remanded for five days until Nov 13 to assist in the police investigation.