KUALA LUMPUR: A housebreaking gang run by foreigners has been busted following a RM7mil heist at a Bukit Damansara home here.
Eight suspects, including four Latin Americans, were detained in various operations between June 6 and 14, Kuala Lumpur police said.
The others detained were two local women and two Bangladeshi men.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said the gang had broken into the house of a businessman at about 10pm on May 31 and carted away about RM7mil worth of valuables.
"Among the stolen items were RM20,000 in cash and 30 luxury watches.
"We detained seven suspects aged between 20 and 36 through various raids in the city.
"The eighth suspect was detained in Bangkok by Thai Immigration on June 14.
"An arrest warrant has been issued by a Kuala Lumpur Magistrate's Court to bring the suspect back to Malaysia.
"The gang was successfully busted through efforts by Brickfields and KL police officers and personnel," he told a press conference at Brickfields district police headquarters here on Thursday (June 27).
One of the women detained is the girlfriend of one of the Latin American suspects while another woman is believed to have bought stolen jewellery, he added.
"We believe the two Bangladeshi men had rented their car to the gang," he said.
Comm Rusdi said police recovered 29 luxury watches worth RM1.5mil, 97 pieces of jewellery worth RM2.5mil, and RM4,550 in cash.
"Overall, we managed to recover about RM4mil worth of the stolen items.
"The most expensive watch is worth RM400,000, while the most expensive piece of jewellery is worth RM200,000," he said.
Comm Rusdi said the gang would scope out a location before choosing their targets.
"They would check if the occupants were home and what type of security system was in place.
"CCTV footage from the victim's neighbour's house led to us identify the suspects.
"We advise those with the means to install proper CCTVs with high-definition recording as it could help with a criminal investigation," he said.
Comm Rusdi said the suspects had entered Malaysia illegally through Thailand.
"They had been in the country for about two weeks before they broke into the businessman's home," he said.
Comm Rusdi urged those with information on any criminal activity to contact the KL police hotline at 03-21159999 or the nearest police station.
