Making arrests: Comm Kumar giving a briefing on the Rusaboy Gang during a press conference at Bukit Aman police headquarters. — SAMUEL ONG/The Star
KUALA LUMPUR: The Rusaboy Gang, suspected of involvement in armed robberies and murders, has been busted following the arrest of 17 of its members, Bukit Aman revealed.
Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Comm Datuk M. Kumar said the gang members were nabbed during a special operation conducted by Bukit Aman and Kedah police from Nov 27 to Dec 4.
“The gang is believed to have around 35 active members operating in Sungai Petani and Penang, with those arrested aged between 24 and 42.
“Checks revealed that several criminal cases are linked to them, including armed robbery, murder and drug distribution,” he told a press conference at the federal police headquarters yesterday.
Comm Kumar said seven of those arrested had previously served prison sentences and were released in January 2024.
He said all those arrested were being investigated under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act (Sosma) 2012 and will be charged today.
The CID director said those still at large include the gang’s mastermind, which police have identified as Rames Govinda Rajan, 36, with investigations linking him and the gang to two murders.
Comm Kumar said the motive behind the murders were believed to be disputes over “territory”.
He added that the leader and other gang members are being actively pursued and are believed to still be in the country.
On the explosion involving an improvised explosive device (IED) in Desa Palma, Nilai, on Dec 22, he said investigations have yet to find any links to extremist groups.
“The suspect is still being held in hospital. Our investigations are focused on determining why the explosives were made and whether there were other accomplices involved. At this stage, we believe this was an isolated incident.”
Negri Sembilan police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Alzafny Ahmad revealed that a 62-year-old suspect was arrested in the Mantin area on Dec 27.
He said the man is believed to possess technical knowledge and special skills in making explosives based on the quality of the devices and equipment seized from his rented house.
Police also found 31 more IEDs in the house that were later destroyed.
