Snatch thief cases are very very common and happens everyday.
This is a crime by chance, meaning the snatch thieves will only do it when they see the opportunity presents itself, example see a girl walking alone somewhere.
It is quite impossible to totally stop crimes like this because the snatch thief can be like a normal person riding a bike and if he had done nothing, there is no proof whatsoever.

So what we can do?

- be more vigilant, always on the look out especially walking in quiet places etc
- avoid walking alone, especially at night
- don't use handphone while walking
- walk against traffic

My personal experience, that I want to share

A woman talking on the phone at Banana Leaf, Jalan Gasing, PJ. (near Catholic High School)
She was talking and walking around, outside the shop, on the roadside, near tables that are placed outside
A bike suddenly stopped nearby the shop and wait there
Then, I saw another man walked near her, just grab her phone, ran towards the bike, hopped on...and bye bye~
The bike sped off, in the opposite direction of traffic (they probably did this to deter anyone to chase them in a car)
At that time, mamak was quite full of people, alot of people sitting outside.
But what can be done? Everyone just watch in shocked

So be careful all, usually girls are targeted, this is not to say guys are 100% safe as well.

do u live nearby there?
its scary, cause I do.

Sorry to hear about that.
Break-ins are so rampant these days!!

Btw, Where is your place?

This post has been edited by ycyip: May 19 2011, 05:50 PM

Sounds very serious. Hope you are okay now.
What exactly happens?
Care to elaborate?