A MENTALLY unstable man was arrested after he was caught trying to abduct a seven-year-old boy in front of a fast-food restaurant in Taman Kota Masai, Johor Baru, today.

Johor police chief Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the incident happened at 11.30am today and the individual in his 20s was detained by members of the public at the scene.

“In the incident, the boy was walking from Taman Scientex Religious School and the man coaxed the victim into taking the ride home on his motorcycle,” he said in a statement tonight.

He said policemen from the Taman Scientex police station then arrested the man and confiscated his Honda Dash motorcycle.

Kamarul said the man, who is a person with mental disabilities (PwD) cardholder, also tested positive for methamphetamine.

Kamarul said the man was also wanted by police for an offence under section 15 (1) (a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

He said the case was being investigated under section 363 of the penal code, and also advised the public, notably parents and guardians, to be wary of suspicious people.

Earlier today, several videos including dashcam footage were uploaded on Facebook which showed the individual being held by the public at the fast-food restaurant.

Through dashcam footage, the suspect was seen trying to flee with the victim who was in religious school uniform and songkok, before being surrounded and detained by members of the public. – Bernama, May 11, 2022.