KUALA LUMPUR: A 36-year-old man, with several prior criminal records was the mastermind behind the RM3.5mil heist at a businesswoman's home.
He was detained along with three women for the robbery at Padang Balang, Sentul, on March 3.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Allaudeen Abdul Majid said the robbery gang was nabbed in Batu Pahat, Johor on March 5, by Selangor police based on a police report in Rawang.
"Some stolen items were also recovered during the arrest including luxury handbags, jewellery and watches.
"Selangor police investigated the suspects for a separate case before handing them over to KL police on March 16.
"They were remanded until March 25 pending investigation by KL police," he told a press conference at Wangsa Maju police headquarters on Thursday (March 21).
Comm Allaudeen said the male suspect is believed to be the mastermind of the robbery gang.
"He has 20 prior criminal records, including for house break-ins.
"Some of the gang members were designed to monitor potential victims before the male suspect would hit the target's house when the occupants were not home.
"We are not ruling out the possibility that the gang targeted businessmen and women as well as social media influencers.
"They have multiple cases of house break-ins in Kelantan and Selangor," he said.
Comm Allaudeen said the male suspect also led police to Sungai Sembrong, Batu Pahat, on March 19, where he dumped the stolen safe belonging to the businesswoman in Sentul.
"We managed to recover the safe with the assistance of the Fire and Rescue Department, along with four gold bars located in an extra compartment that the suspects failed to spot.
"They really thought the safe was empty when they dumped it," he said.
Further investigation led police to recover other stolen items including 15 gold necklaces, 14 gold bracelets, two gold rings and seven handbags, Comm Allaudeen said.
"We believe some RM2.1mil in stolen items were recovered from the suspects," he added.
Comm Allaudeen advised the public to never divulge personal details when hosting a social media live session.
"We urge those with information on such cases to contact Wangsa Maju police at 03-9289 9222 or KL police hotline at 03-2115 9999 or any nearest police station," he said.
It was reported that robbers broke into the woman's home and carted away cash, gold bars and designer handbags worth about RM3.5mil.
Wangsa Maju OCPD Supt Ashari Abu Samah had said the incident occurred when the businesswoman and her family were not at home.
"The robbers stole a safe filled with gold bars and cash. They also stole several designer handbags," he said.
According to Supt Ashari, the CCTV at the victim's home was damaged.
