JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested four people, including two women, all of which are ethnic Rohingya for allegedly being involved in a series of housebreaking cases in the city centre here.
Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the suspects, aged 14 and 27, were apprehended during a raid last Thursday (Nov 24) at noon.
"Initial investigations revealed that these suspects have been involved in six housebreaking cases in Johor Baru, Kulai, and Batu Pahat and have been active since June this year.
"Their tactic is to break into houses that are empty during the day during working hours and steal jewellery and cash," he said in a statement on Saturday (Nov 26).
Comm Kamarul Zaman added that the crime would often be conducted by either four or three people.
"Two of the men also have prior records involving housebreaks and drugs.
"We are currently on the hunt for this group's mastermind, a woman named Norjahan Ismail. Her last known address was in Taman Muhibbah, Kulai," he added.
The group has caused losses amounting to RM50,000. The police have also confiscated some items believed to be stolen, including 16 jewellery sets, 10 pawn receipts, and one vehicle that the group used to move around.
The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code for breaking into a house to commit burglary, which provides for an imprisonment term that may extend to 14 years and a possible fine or whipping.
