SEREMBAN: Police believe they have solved 18 armed robberies following the arrest of a gang of 15 “ruthless” suspects in a nine-day operation here and in Selangor.
State police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Ahmad Dzaffir Mohd Yussof said the suspects, aged between 25 and 41, were detained in several raids in Nilai and Kajang.
The group, he said, had been active since the middle of last year and committed several robberies in Mantin.
"The suspects were known to be aggressive and each one of them would be armed with a machete during a robbery.
"All the suspects have previous records for housebreaking, car theft, drug trafficking, and abuse and robbery," he said in a statement.
DCP Ahmad Dzaffir said 13 robberies were committed in Negri Sembilan and five in Selangor with losses totalling some RM231,000.
He said the operation codenamed "Op Tajam Mantin" started on Jan 26.
The police, he said, have wrapped up investigations and forwarded the investigation papers to the deputy public prosecutor's office.
They will be charged under Section 457 of the Penal Code for breaking into a house to commit burglary, which carries a jail term of up to 14 years and a possible fine or whipping.
The suspects will also be slapped with another charge under Section 417 of the same legislation for concealing or disposing of or making away with stolen property.
Offenders can be jailed for up to seven years or fined upon conviction.
