MELAKA: Police here have arrested four "lone wolf" suspects behind a spate of break-ins and robberies, including a security guard moonlighting as a burglar.
Losses in the crimes, committed around the Melaka Tengah district, reportedly came up to RM76,000, according to police.
Melaka Tengah OCPD Asst Comm Christopher Patit (pic) said the 48-year-old security guard dubbed "Salleh Solo" by police worked in Kuala Lumpur and travelled to Melaka to commit house break-ins.
He said the suspect was detained at around 4pm on Sunday (March 23), based on fingerprints found at a crime scene, resolving a burglary case where unoccupied homes were targeted, causing losses estimated at RM45,000.
"We also arrested a 47-year-old unemployed man dubbed 'Nathan Solo' on March 16, for allegedly targeting unoccupied houses and committing three house-breaking cases and causing losses of RM25,000," he told a press conference on Tuesday (March 25).
ACP Christopher said that yet another suspect, "Joseph Solo", aged 58, was arrested on March 18 for allegedly breaking into worker hostels and stealing mobile phones, causing losses of RM6,000.
The last arrest was a 31-year-old suspect dubbed "Jebot Solo", who allegedly robbed lone victims, engaging his targets in conversation before relieving them of their valuables.
"Acting on information, at about noon on March 20, a police team arrested the suspect at a house in Kampung Bertam Malim," ACP Christopher said.
He said the suspects are believed to have been active since February, with two of them released from prison recently.
They cruised on motorcycles for surveillance and operated independently, he added.
"A check found that all four suspects have records with criminal and drug offences, and one of them tested positive for methamphetamine.
"The cases are being investigated under Sections 457 (house-breaking), 380 (house theft), 411 (possessing stolen property), 393 (attempted robbery) and 384 (extortion) of the Penal Code,” he said. – Bernama
