Northeast District Police Chief ACP Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the suspect was believed to be behind more than 15 snatch theft cases in the district.

Mior said the man snatched a woman’s purse outside a supermarket in Bandar Baru Air Itam.

He said the suspect fled on his motorcycle but was knocked down by a member of the public with his car.

“But the man got up and fled on foot. We gave chase but failed to catch him.

“We then mounted a search for the suspect and found him at his home in Paya Terubong,” Mior said at a press conference at the district police headquarters here today.

Mior said upon interrogation, the suspect pleaded guilty to seven snatch theft cases.

He said, however, the items seized might be related to 15 cases reported in the district.

“The suspect was also involved in the snatch theft incident in Sungai Nibong Kechil not long ago, where a woman in her 40s broke her right arm.”

Mior said police recovered 13 purses, six bags, four watches and dozens of bank cards from his home.

“A motorcycle, fitted with false registration plates and used by the suspect, was also seized.”

The suspect has been remanded until Sept 14 to be investigated for causing hurt in committing robbery.