A plague of two-wheeled thefts

Ipoh OCPD ACP Mohd Ali Tamby (second from left) showing 11 frames, components and two motorcycles recovered following the arrest of five men earlier this month. Nearly 2,000 cases of motorcycle thefts were reported in the state last year. – Bernama

PERAK Police Chief Comm Datuk Hasnan Hassan said, based on investigations, motorcycle thefts are often well-planned, rarely random acts of opportunity, and make up the highest number of crime cases the state.

“Thieves usually target areas that are isolated,” he said.

“While most incidents take place in housing areas, motorcycle are also often stolen near hypermarkets, shophouses, transport terminals and by the roadside,” he said.

Comm Hasnan said there are several motives behind motorcycle thefts, beyond just taking someone else’s property.

“Some use stolen motorcycles to commit other crimes such as snatch theft or drug distribution. Motorcycles are also stolen for spare parts,” he said.

“Based on our records, Honda motorcycles are the top targets among thieves, with some 1,125 stolen last year, including the EX5, Wave 100 and Wave 125 models.

“In comparison, there were only five larger motorcycles stolen last year,” he added.

Comm Hasnan had said earlier this week that motorcycle thefts were the main contributor to the state’s crime index, with about 36% or 1,913 cases out of the total of 5,326 crimes reported in 2017.

He said Ipoh was the district with the highest number of motorcycle thefts, with 787 cases.

Recoverd stolen motorcyles and those involved in accidents often languish in police stations. 

“The second highest was Manjung with 301 cases, followed by Taiping 214, Hilir Perak 112 and Kuala Kangsar 66.

“In terms of police stations receiving reports, the Sitiawan police station in Manjung received the highest number, with 164 cases,” he added.

Comm Hasnan said, based on police investigations, there are several methods used to steal a motorcycle, with the most common being a thief simply breaking the steering lock and using a master key to start the engine.

“More complicated methods involve thieves pouring acid or liquid nitrogen to break the lock, using modified or duplicated keys, or hauling the vehicle away using a van or truck,” he added.

Despite the various ways of stealing bikes, the state police chief said there are still some ways for motorcyclists to keep their machines more secure.

“I would advise motorists to get sturdier locks. Motorcycle owners should also invest in an anti-theft alarm system or put an identification mark on the vehicle,” he said.

“It is also wise to avoid parking in isolated areas with little foot traffic,” he said, reminding motorists to never leave the keys on the motorcycle or the engine running, even for a short while.

Photographer CH Ting said his motorcycle was stolen outside his office earlier this year.

“I normally park outside my office and leave it there overnight.

“I was careless for just that day as I forgot to lock it and by the next morning, it was gone,” he said.

A businesswoman, who wished to remain anonymous, said she lost her motorcycle near a wet market in Ipoh a few years ago.

“I remember parking it next to the market and securing it with a motorcycle lock.

“When I returned to the spot an hour later,it was already gone. I am not sure how they managed to break the lock,” she added.

The woman made a police report but said that she had not received any updates about her missing motorcycle.

“I got myself a new motorcycle and didn’t pursue the matter. These days, I prefer to drive,” she added.

Media researcher KS Lim, in his 30s, said his motorcycle was stolen from outside a cybercafe in Taiping, 12 years ago.

“I just used a normal lock to secure the front wheel.

“I had thought the thieves would have broken the lock when stealing my motorcycle, but it was still in one piece when they found the vehicle in Parit Buntar,” he said.