Just two days after being released from Tapah Prison, a former prison inmate was rearrested for allegedly committing a snatch theft at Jalan Horley, Ipoh this afternoon.

Acting Ipoh police chief Mohamad Nordin Abdullah said the 31-year-old suspect, who had served eight months of jail time for drug-related offences, was nabbed in Jelapang at 8pm.

"In the 12.53pm incident, the suspect, who was believed to be riding a motorcycle as a pillion rider, approached a woman and snatched her handbag causing her to fall and injuring her left elbow," he said when contacted by Bernama today.

Nordin said the victim, who lodged a police report at 1.30pm, said her handbag contained RM300 cash, identification documents and bank cards.

He said due to the cooperation of the public and police efficiency, the former inmate was detained in less than eight hours.

Police are looking for the other suspect, with the case being investigated under Section 395 of the Penal Code for armed and gang robbery.

The snatch theft was witnessed by two Bernama journalists who happened to be passing the area in a car and who were able to capture a picture of the incident that showed the type and registration number of the motorcycle which the suspect was riding.

Nordin thanked the journalists for contacting and providing information to the police.

- Bernama