Three former Poca detainees arrested over string of house break-ins

PETALING JAYA: Three men who were released from detention under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) about six months ago have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a string of house break-ins.

Petaling Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Mohamad Fakhruddin Abdul Hamid said police were alerted to the group's activities after a house was broken into on Dec 24 last year.

"We received a report from a 56-year-old man who claimed he came home at around 11pm on Dec 24 and found that his house had been ransacked.

"The man claimed to have lost jewellery, cash, electronic gadgets and personal belongings worth RM50,000," he told reporters on Wednesday (Jan 12).

He said based on intelligence gathering, police arrested three men aged between 39 and 59 in Dang Wangi and Setapak.

"We also seized tools used in house break-ins, an assortment of foreign currency, jewellery, pawn slips, decorative jewellery, electronic gadgets, an assortment of items believed to be stolen as well as a car which was reported stolen in Puchong.

"Checks revealed the three suspects had multiple criminal and drug records while the 59-year-old suspect was also wanted for involvement in a drug case in Jasin.

"The three suspects had been released from detention under Poca in July last year," he said, adding that the group was believed to have begun their activities two months ago.

He said the group would usually strike between 11am and 3pm while people were out for work.

"They would ring the door bells and only break into houses once they were sure no one was inside.

"They target luxury vehicles and jewellery," he said, adding that they would pawn the stolen items in Rawang and Setapak.

He said the suspects also led police to the arrest of another local man who purchased more than RM21,000 worth of jewellery believed to be stolen.

"The group has been linked to at least eight cases in Petaling Jaya, Serdang and Ampang," he said, adding that the suspects have been remanded to help with further investigations.