Jewellery thieves arrested

GEORGE TOWN: Five foreigners were nabbed for allegedly stealing jewellery worth RM30,000 from devotees during the Thaipusam celebration here.

The suspects – four Sri Lankan women and an Indian national man – were picked up in Penang Street when the Lord Muruga’s silver chariot was leaving for Nattukotai Chettiar Temple in Jalan Kebun Bunga on Saturday.

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Mior Faridalathrash Wahid said the suspects were aged between 30 and 40.

“We received five jewellery theft reports.

“These suspects could be members of a syndicate targeting the elders, as the victims were aged between 50 and 70.

“We believe they were acting in groups and some of their accomplices could be still at large.

“They are professionals as some of the victims only realised that their necklaces were missing after they got home,” he said.

ACP Mior urged the public to be careful with their valuables and belongings in public places.

The suspects were remanded until tomorrow.

The case is being investigated under Section 379 of the Penal Code for theft.