A 29-year-old coffee shop assistant has claimed trial to 14 charges in two Penang Magistrate’s Courts today, stemming from a 20km police chase through George Town during which he rammed 12 vehicles.
S. Prasaanndh pleaded not guilty to all counts, including obstructing a police officer, reckless driving, and 12 counts of mischief for damaging vehicles during the 80-minute pursuit on April 30.
The drama began at 9am on Jalan Tanjung Bungah when a patrol unit flagged down the Kia Forte he was driving under suspicious circumstances. Instead of stopping, Prasaanndh sped off, triggering a chase that tore through the city’s busiest arteries.
He faces one count under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing a public servant in the discharge of his duty, which carries a maximum penalty of two years’ jail, a RM10,000 fine, or both.
Under Section 42(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, he is charged with driving the Kia Forte recklessly from Jalan Persiaran Gurney all the way to Jalan Tengah in Bayan Baru. A conviction carries up to five years’ imprisonment, a RM15,000 fine, and a minimum five-year licence disqualification.
The most numerous charges are 12 counts under Section 427 of the Penal Code for mischief, each relating to a different vehicle he rammed along the route. The chase snaked through Jalan Persiaran Gurney, Jalan Nagore, Jalan Sungai Pinang, the Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway, Jalan Pangkor and Jalan Burma before the suspect escaped at about 10.20am.
Estimated damage to the 12 vehicles ranges from RM380 to RM2,000 each.
A 43-second video of the chase, which went viral on social media last week, showed the Kia Forte colliding with multiple cars while being tailed by a patrol car.
Magistrates Nadratun Naim Mohd Saidi and Nur Fadrina Zulkhairi presided over the proceedings.
The accused was granted bail totalling RM76,000 for all 14 charges, but could not post the amount and has been remanded in prison. His lawyer told the court that Prasaanndh is married with a seven-year-old child and works as a coffee shop assistant with an unstable income, requesting minimal bail.
The case returns to court on June 15 for document submissions.
Source: The Star
