Series of burglaries solved in Penang, medical practitioner arrested

GEORGE TOWN: A 38-year-old medical practitioner was arrested by the police for breaking into 22 units of super condo in Gurney Drive here.

The suspect was picked up from his home in Pulau Tikus last Thursday (April 23).

George Town OCPD Asst Comm Soffian Santong said the losses incurred by the victims were estimated at RM493,615.

“The suspect had broken into 22 units since 2014.

“The modus operandi was to enter homes that are not locked early in the morning and steal goods in the living room.

“The 38-year-old suspect does not have a criminal record.

“The total seizure is estimated to be worth about RM160,000 and the suspect will be remanded until May 1, ” he said in a statement on Tuesday (April 28).

ACP Soffian added that some of items seized included a Nintendo Switch, LCD, identity cards, driving licences, foreign and Malaysian passports, laptops, smart tags, mobile phones, bags, luggage, keys and three cameras.

“The case is being probed under Section 457 of the Penal Code for burglary which carries a jail term of 14 years upon conviction, ” he said.

Meanwhile, three people, including a married couple, were arrested for being involved in 13 burglaries at a condominium in Tanjung Tokong here in April this year.

“The losses incurred by the victims were estimated at RM296,350."

He said the first suspect is 34 years old and does not have a criminal record, while the second suspect, aged 24, has a previous record, including for drug-related offences.

He said the third suspect, in her 20s, does not have a record.

“The total seizure is worth about RM80,000 and all three suspects have been remanded, ” he said.

ACP Soffian added that the first suspect led to the seizure of items such as branded luggage, branded sling bags, purses, perfumes, cameras and two bottles of hard liquor.

“With the public’s help, we managed to arrest a couple, and the lady is believed to be a medical trainer.

“Following the discovery, we managed to seize several televisions, branded bags, a speaker, power bank among others, ” he said.

The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code for burglary which carries a jail term of 14 years upon conviction.