JITRA: Police have arrested four men believed to be involved in armed gang robberies targeting homes occupied by foreigners in the Kodiang area of Kedah.
Kubang Pasu OCPD Supt Mohd Radzi Abdul Rahim said a 28-year-old Myanmar national lodged a police report on Aug 17, claiming that his rented house in Kampung Kodiang Lama had been broken into by three masked men.
He said that in the 1.30am incident, the three suspects, dressed in dark clothing and wearing gloves, knocked on the door before assaulting and threatening him with what was believed to be a knife.
"The suspects then ordered him to hand over his valuables," he told a press conference here on Tuesday (Sept 1).
Supt Radzi said the items handed over by the victim included two necklaces, a ring, a pendant, a pair of earrings, two mobile phones and a wallet containing a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) card.
The victim suffered injuries to his hands and right leg, as well as a wound to his abdomen, he said.
He added that police subsequently arrested four suspects aged between 22 and 37 in Kodiang; Ipoh, Perak; and Kangar, Perlis.
Police also seized several items believed to be linked to the incident, including four mobile phones, a sling bag, two UNHCR cards, a pawnshop receipt, a folding knife and a small knife with a wooden handle and sheath.
"Further investigations found that all the suspects were believed to have targeted homes occupied by foreigners in the Kodiang area, particularly Myanmar nationals.
"They would go to the targeted homes wearing face coverings, and armed with knives, before carrying out the robberies," he said.
Supt Radzi said the case was being investigated under Sections 395 and 397 of the Penal Code for gang robbery with weapons.
All the suspects have been remanded until Thursday (Sept 3) to assist in investigations. – Bernama
