Three Singapore-registered cars were allegedly broken into at the car park of Adventure Waterpark Desaru Coast in Johor on Sunday, 6 September.
The affected vehicles included a Mercedes, a Honda multi-purpose vehicle and a Tribecar car. Photos taken that afternoon showed damaged windows on the vehicles.
One witness, Syafiq Maselan, told Mothership that the photos were taken at about 4.23pm. He had parked near the affected cars and returned to find the damage.
iPads, AirPods and a Bag With Baby Items Reportedly Taken
Syafiq separately told 8world that he had gone to the waterpark with his family that afternoon.
When he returned to the car park, he saw a crowd and initially thought there had been an accident. He later learnt from one of the vehicle owners that the car had allegedly been broken into, with two other vehicles in the same row apparently affected as well.
According to Syafiq’s account to 8world, the Mercedes owner told him that two iPads and a pair of AirPods had been taken.
A bag containing baby items was reportedly stolen from the Tribecar vehicle. These reported losses came from the witness’s conversations with the affected motorists and have not been independently detailed by Malaysian police.
Syafiq’s own Singapore-registered vehicle was parked nearby and was not damaged, even though there were children’s electronic devices in its back seat.
He did not witness the alleged break-ins themselves. While he suggested that bags or other belongings visible inside the cars might have attracted thieves, there has been no official finding on why the vehicles were targeted.
Tribecar Hirer and Family Were Unhurt
Tribecar confirmed to Mothership that one of its vehicles was involved and said the hirer and his family were safe.
The car-sharing company said customers generally should not arrange repairs to damaged vehicles without approval.
For this particular case, however, Tribecar allowed the hirer to replace the damaged window and window tint in Malaysia at his own expense without additional fees from the company.
Tribecar added that insurance may cover significant vehicle damage in some circumstances, depending on the policy terms and applicable excess or deductible.
Desaru Coast Says It Is Working With Malaysian Police
In a statement reported by Malaysian newspaper Oriental Daily on 8 September, Desaru Coast said it was cooperating with the Royal Malaysia Police over the incident and would provide information needed for the investigation.
The resort also said it had strengthened security following the incident. Measures include deploying more security personnel and patrols in busy visitor areas, increasing monitoring and patrols at designated parking areas, putting up more security notices and coordinating more closely with local law enforcement.
Desaru Coast also advised visitors to make sure their vehicles are locked and to avoid leaving valuables in visible parts of their cars.
