KOTA KINABALU, Oct 11 — Police are tracking down a “toyol” who was caught on camera stealing a worshipper’s backpack from the surau of Queen Elizabeth I Hospital (HQE1) here last Monday.

In Malay folklore, a “toyol” is a mischievous child spirit said to steal valuables for its master, which is today used as slang to refer to a sneaky thief.

The incident is believed to have happened around 1pm on October 6, shortly after the victim had performed Zuhur prayers at the hospital’s fourth-floor surau, Harian Metro reported yesterday.

The man later realised his backpack, which he had placed on a table near the back corner of the prayer room, had gone missing, apparently taken by an unknown person.

Kota Kinabalu district police chief Assistant Commissioner Kasim Muda said the victim tried searching for the bag but was unable to locate it before lodging a report.

“The victim suffered losses estimated at around RM1,300.

“A review of the closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage found a man acting suspiciously who is believed to have taken the bag,” he said in a media statement.

He said the case is being investigated under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft in a building.

Kasim added that anyone with information or who recognises the suspect is urged to come forward to the nearest police station or contact the investigating officer, Sergeant Joevyn Manuel Ayunini, at 016-9310721 to assist in the investigation.