KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 14 — Police are questioning a female senior officer whose alleged carelessness resulted in the escape of a “Casanova” from the courthouse here last Wednesday.
A source from the Bukit Aman police headquarters said they were looking into several leads, including the possibility of a personal relationship between the officer, who holds the rank of assistant superintendent of police (ASP), and the man, suspected of having duped more than 10 women of their cash and valuables.
Police are also investigating how the officer obtained the phone number of the police escort from Cameron Highlands who was to bring the suspect back to the court here.
Sources told The Malay Mail the officer — who is with D5 (the law and prosecution division) at the George Town district police headquarters — had been suspended.
She is also being investigated for allowing a suspect to escape from custody and negligence. Sources said a disciplinary action would be taken against her.
The suspect was being escorted to Cameron Highlands after being brought here to the courthouse earlier. On the way, the escort was directed to return to the island.
At the courthouse, the suspect, who was in handcuffs, managed to escape. Police said the computer technician, K.K. Prabaharan, 45, was still at large.
Penang police are liaising with their counterparts in Selangor and Perak as he has addresses in those states.
State deputy CID chief Asst Comm Nasir Salleh was confident of nabbing him soon.
“We are working closely with police from Selangor and Perak and will zero in on him soon.
The man from Perak claimed to be a doctor on his Facebook profile and would add women on the social media networking site before messaging them.
He would sweet talk them before swindling their money and valuables, which has since amounted to more than RM100,000.
Nasir also said police had ruled out the possibility of family ties between the ”Casanova” and the female police officer, who was the last person seen with him.
“We have looked into every possible angle. We will leave no stone unturned. They are not related to each other,” said Nasir.
