Penang cops bust burglary syndicate, couple detained

GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have crippled a burglary syndicate that was involved in many break-ins at condominium throughout the country with the arrest of a couple.

Penang police chief Comm A. Thaiveegan said the husband-and-wife team, aged 38 and 35 respectively, who were part of the five-men burglary syndicate, were picked up from a house in Klang, Selangor at 5pm on Saturday (Feb 3).

Penang police chief Comm A. Thaiveegan said the husband-and-wife teamwere picked up from a house in Klang, Selangor at 5pm on Saturday (Feb 3).

The couple, aged 38 and 35 respectively, were part of a five-men burglary syndicate.

"The arrests were made following public tip-off and also intelligence from the police since they have been actively involved in criminal activities since 2015.

"We followed them from Penang to Klang before we apprehended them. We also seized luxury items such as jewellery, cash, handbags and watches worth about RM300,000 during the raid," he told a press conference at the state police headquarters at Penang Road on Thursday (Feb 8).

Comm Thaiveegan said preliminary investigation revealed that the syndicate was involved in over 70 burglary cases at condominiums throughout the country and 20 cases have been identified to have happened in Penang.

"The total losses is believed to be over RM1mil," he added.

He said the police are still looking for the three syndicate members, in their 30s and 40s, who are still at large.

"The two suspects are being remanded until Friday (Feb 9). The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code for burglary," he added.