Ex-cop caught in failed extortion bid

KUALA LUMPUR: A former policeman tried to pass himself off as still being in the force before he was caught by real policemen in a failed extortion attempt.

The former constable and three accomplices had pretended to be cops and "arrested" a man at Jalan Dato Hamzah, Klang.

City deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Hamid Mohd Ali (pic) said the group handcuffed the victim and drove him in his own car to Jalan Batu Bata, here, at around 1.30am on Saturday.

"They then tried to extort RM50,000 from the victim for his release.

"That is when my men in a patrol car spotted the group sitting in the car parked outside a public toilet, acting suspiciously," he said at a press conference at the city police headquarters on Monday.

The four abductors, aged 22 to 38, were arrested.

Police also seized an air-powered pistol.

It is learnt that the former policeman, who was last stationed at the Cheras police station, was fired last year.

Meanwhile, police are looking for four people connected to a house break-in and car theft syndicate called Ah Hau Gang, including the leader Ah Hau.

The four are the remaining members still at large after police arrested four gang members, including a woman, on April 12.

The detained four, aged 21 to 50, were found with various house break-in tools and stolen items like laptop computers, mobile phones and car keys.

"We need the public to help us locate the remaining four members," DCP Abdul Hamid said.

The four have been identified as Tan Chee Hau @ Ah Hau, 30, Virginia Gan Kwee Eng @ Ah Girl, 21, Low Hin Fai @ Pick Up, 34, Ng Chiew Wen @ Simon, 36, and Ah Tie, aged and name unknown.

The gang is believed to be behind at least 25 house break-in and car theft cases in Kuala Lumpur, Selangor and Pahang.

Anyone with information on the gang should contact the police immediately, urged DCP Abdul Hamid.