KUALA LUMPUR - A series of attacks against three local football players recently are found to be carried out using the same modus operandi.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said a similar modus operandi was used from the first incident on May 2 until the latest incident, last night (Tuesday).
He said it is believed that the suspects had followed the victims before attacking them.
"We have figured out the modus operandi. Each time there's an attack, it's done in pairs. They stalk the victim before attacking.
"These three cases happened two days apart starting from the first case involving Terengganu FC footballer Akhyar Rashid, the second case (Selangor FC winger Faisal Halim) and the third one involving former national football team captain Safiq Rahim and it is hoped that such cases will end," he said in a press conference in Bukit Aman, here, today.
However, he said, the three attacks were not linked to each other adding that the incident will affect the national league.
"The police will thoroughly search for the criminals involved in these incidents.
"If any national football player saw something out of the ordinary, remember to take precautions and report to the police for further action," he said.
Commenting on the two suspects in Faisal's case, Shuhaily said the first suspect was found to be positive for drugs, while the second suspect, who was still under remand until May 11, has seven previous criminal records.
"The cases are being investigated under Section 324 of the Penal Code, Section 395, Section 170 and Section 507," he said.
Last night, Safiq's car window was smashed by unknown individuals near the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) training centre, in Sri Gelam, Johor Bahru.
On May 5, Faisal suffered fourth degree burns after being splashed with acid by two motorcyclists in Petaling Jaya while on May 2, Akhyar was injured after being robbed in an incident in Terengganu.