KUALA LUMPUR: Six men, including a senior police officer, have been arrested in connection with a series of armed robberies targeting wealthy foreign nationals.
Total losses from the heists are estimated at RM4.4mil.
Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Fadil Marsus said police received three reports involving armed robbery and the impersonation of police officers.
"The victims comprised two Chinese nationals - a man and a woman - and an Indonesian woman, aged between 29 and 52," he said.
The incidents occurred in Kepong on April 5 between 5.30am and 7.30am when six suspects broke into the victims’ homes.
One of the suspects allegedly brandished an object resembling a pistol at the victims.
“The suspects’ modus operandi was to impersonate police officers and carry out robberies by targeting residences of foreign nationals,” Comm Fadil told a press conference on Wednesday (April 8).
In the three incidents, the suspects made off with three luxury vehicles - a Toyota Alphard, a Rolls-Royce and a Bentley.
They also escaped with a safe, RM24,200 in cash, US$1,200, various jewellery items and two gold bars.
Acting on intelligence, a team from the Sentul district police headquarters and Kuala Lumpur CID arrested three men at about 8.45pm on April 5.
Information obtained led to the capture of three more suspects aged between 31 and 51 in Kuala Lumpur.
Police seized two pistols, five vehicles, RM13,056 in cash, various foreign currencies, eight mobile phones and two security passes.
"Among those arrested was a police officer who had been suspended from duty and has a prior criminal record related to drugs," Comm Fadil said.
He said the officer acted as the coordinator of the criminal activities.
The firearms were obtained through two suspects who worked as personal bodyguards and held valid firearm licences.
All suspects have been remanded for seven days.
Initial urine screening found one suspect tested positive for amphetamine.
The case is being investigated under Sections 395, 397 and 170 of the Penal Code.
Comm Fadil stressed that investigations are ongoing and police would not protect any individual found to have committed an offence.
He urged those with information to contact the Kuala Lumpur police hotline at 03-21159999 or the nearest police station.
