MELAKA: The 42-year-old burglar dubbed "Cicak Man" for his ability to scale drainage pipes to enter homes and commit thefts has been arrested, says state police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Wira Zainol
He said the man from Selayang Baru near Batu Caves, Selangor was arrested at a Durian Tunggal hotel on Oct 16.
"The individual, known by the alias Khairi@Cicak, is suspected of carrying out approximately 22 burglaries in the state, primarily in the districts of Melaka Tengah and Alor Gajah," said DCP Zainol.
He added that the suspect had tested positive for narcotics and said that the man has 14 cases in his criminal record, including those linked to drug abuse
During the arrest, police recovered 92 items believed to be stolen, including ten mobile phones, various foreign currencies, pieces of jewelry, and a bag bearing the "Majlis Guru Besar SJK (C) Negeri Melaka" emblem.
The items recovered are estimated to be worth RM150,000.
"A bag containing what is suspected to be drugs was also seized during the hotel room raid," he said.
Investigations are ongoing to ascertain the suspect's possible involvement in thefts in other states. A source close to the case revealed the suspect's tactic of climbing walls to execute a series of break-ins.
The "Cicak Man" nickname stems from the suspect's aptitude for wall-climbing similar of the eponymous character from the 2006 Malaysian superhero film directed by KRU member Yusry Abdul Halim.
