The Star, Wednesday March 7, 2012

Cops smash car theft and burglary gang in Kajang

KAJANG: A gang that broke into houses in the morning after home owners had left for work has been crippled with the arrest of three men.

The gang members not only ransacked the houses and stole valuables but also drove away with the victims’ cars.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Rashid Abdul Wahab said the suspects had broken into two houses here within 24 hours and escaped with two cars.

He said the first incident happened at 5.10am last Thursday when the suspects broke into a house in Section 8, Bangi, and stole a Toyota Camry after ransacking the house.

The next day, the gang broke into the house of a state assemblyman’s special assistant at 7am and drove away in his Proton Exora.

“We launched a hunt immediately and arrested a 29-year-old man at Dataran Cheras four hours later,” he told a press conference.

Police also seized a Toyota Altis from the man, reported to be stolen in Seri Kembangan in January.

Police then raided a house in Balakong and nabbed the second suspect together with the Toyota Camry that was stolen in Bangi.

ACP Abdul Rashid said the third arrest was made at a hotel here.

The Proton Exora was parked at the hotel’s basement parking area.

The gang would monitor the targeted houses early in the morning and break in after the owners had left for work.

“If they manage to find the keys for cars parked in the house, they would steal the cars,” he added.

Police believe the suspects were planning to sell the stolen cars, all of which had false number plates.

Police also seized housebreaking tools from the suspects.

It is learnt the suspects had been active since January and were involved in four such cases.

All the suspects have been remanded.