MELAKA: Five members of a robbery gang were detained before they could cheer with almost 50 of their stolen bottles of expensive whiskey and brandy - thanks to the swift action of Melaka police.
The state's top policeman Deputy Comm Datuk Zainol Samah said a team of Melaka police officers carried out a series of raids in Klang, Selangor and Malim here on May 18, before detaining the members of the gang, aged between 38 and 53.
He said four of the suspects had criminal records and all of them tested positive for drugs.
“Police embarked on a special operation to track down the suspects following a report lodged by a clinic assistant on May 17 after the victim's house in Batu Berendam was broken into,” he said on Monday (May 22).
DCP Zainol said three vehicles, including two stolen ones, were also confiscated during the raids.
He said one of the vehicles was reported stolen at Permas Jaya, Johor Baru and another in Klang, Selangor.
He said the total amount of items confiscated during the raids is estimated to be worth about RM300,000.
DCP Zainol said preliminary investigations revealed that the gang was responsible for 10 robberies and house break-ins that were reported in Johor, Selangor and Melaka.
“We are currently probing whether they are involved in other similar car thefts and robberies in other states,” he said.
DCP Zainol said the modus operandi of the gang was to carry out the break-ins when the occupants went to work to steal their belongings.
He added that all five have been remanded for six days to assist in the investigation.
It’s learnt that four of the suspects in Selangor had planned to hold a party to celebrate their success on the same day by getting drunk with their liquor heist, but didn’t get the opportunity when the police stormed into their homes and detained them.