GEORGE TOWN: Police are investigating four reported cases of trespassing, theft, housebreaking and robbery in Tanjung Bungah recently.
Northeast OCPD Asst Comm Abdul Rozak Muhammad said this followed viral social media posts that have raised public concerns on the issue.
He said they have received four reports between July 28 and Aug 2 this year and investigations indicate a lone male suspect allegedly committed the offences.
"Four investigation papers have been opened involving one housebreaking case under Section 457 of the Penal Code, one robbery case under Sections 392/397 of the Penal Code, one trespassing case under Section 448 of the Penal Code, and one theft involving an automatic gate remote control.
"Two of the cases resulted in losses amounting to about RM17,000, while the remaining two cases did not involve any financial loss," he said in a statement on Wednesday (Aug 5).
ACP Abdul Rozak stressed that the security situation in Tanjung Bungah remains under control, adding that the suspect is believed to have acted alone and committed opportunistic crimes.
He said police have intensified early morning patrols in residential areas in Tanjung Bungah as a preventive measure to ensure residents' continued safety.
"We are actively conducting a special operation to track down the suspect and are confident of making an arrest soon.
"Members of the public with information on the cases or the suspect are urged to come forward to assist the investigation," he said.
Images have circulated on social media showing a man wearing a red shirt, cap and face mask, who is alleged to be involved in housebreaking incidents in Tanjung Bungah, sparking public concern.
The viral posts also claimed that the suspect had broken into five homes in the area in the early hours of the morning.
