JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested a woman believed to have mental health issues after nearly three weeks of viral reports about a 'ghost' sighting around Jalan Austin Heights Utama.
The 31-year-old homeless woman, who had been sought by police since the video of her went viral on July 27, was apprehended at 10.51pm last night.
Johor Baru (South) police chief Assistant Commissioner Raub Selamat said preliminary investigations revealed the woman had pretended to be a 'ghost' to frighten road users.
She would then 'ambush' and kick their vehicle before feigning injury to demand money from drivers as compensation for the alleged accidents, he said.
"On July 27, around 12.30pm, we received a viral video on social media showing an individual resembling a ghost intimidating public vehicles on the roadside.
"We then conducted patrols to locate and apprehend her. However, we repeatedly failed as she fled swiftly.
"Officers on duty reported that during the incidents, the woman would also make eerie noises.
"However, we successfully arrested her yesterday and she is believed to have mental health issues," he said during a press conference at the district police headquarters today.
Raub said a background check revealed the suspect had a criminal record under Section 448 of the Penal Code and had been fined RM1,000 on June 27, 2018.
He said preliminary urine tests showed the suspect was negative for drugs.
"We also checked medical records and found that the suspect had been admitted to the yellow zone of Sultan Ismail Hospital (HSI) in 2022 and 2023 due to accidents and depression.
"This morning, we referred the suspect to HSI for further examination of her mental health and are awaiting the results," he said.
Raub said the case is being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code, Section 79(2) of the Road Transport Act 1987 and Regulation 23 of the Road Traffic Rules 1959.
He also urged any road users who have been extorted by the suspect to come forward and file a police report to assist with the investigations.
"We hope that this arrest will alleviate public fear of going out at night and using the road," he added.