JOHOR BAHRU, MALAYSIA — A man was caught on video scaling a high-rise apartment in Tampoi completely untethered in a break-in attempt on Thursday (8 July).
In a one-minute video widely shared on social media, the man can be seen climbing from one balcony to another without any safety equipment. He eventually hops into the balcony of a residence unit before managing to enter the house through the glass door.
Many online users dubbed the man ‘Spider-Man’ for committing such a daredevil feat.
However, the daring burglary attempt by the unfriendly-neighbourhood figure was foiled by residents of the building.
According to Free Malaysia Today, the Johor fire and rescue department received a distress call at about 4.30pm yesterday to rescue a man at Aliff Residence in Tampoi.
14 officers, led by senior fire officer Nordatul Badrol Abd Rahman, rushed to the scene. One fire rescue tender, three emergency medical rescue services machines, and three rapid intervention motorcycle units were also deployed.
By the time the team arrived, the man had already been apprehended by the public. He was found around the veranda on the 19th floor of the building.
Upon being declared safe, the man was subsequently handed to the police at 5.11pm.
Johor Bahru Utara district police chief Rupiah Abd Wahid said in a statement that the man was identified as a local 27-year-old with 18 prior charges for various criminal and narcotic offences.
What’s more, the suspect tested positive for drugs after taking a urine test.
The police also seized 4.3g of crystals suspected of being syabu, a black Toyota Vios, five remote control cars, two cameras, seven watches, and a parang.
The case is being investigated under Section 448 of the Penal Code for house-trespass, as well as Section 12 (2) and Section 15 (1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which involve possession and self-administration of illicit drugs.
Here’s the footage of the man scaling the apartment building like ‘Spider-Man’: