BAGAN SERAI: Police arrested four individuals, including a woman, believed to be members of Geng Man Kuda in connection with robbery and car theft cases following separate raids in Taiping and Kulim, Kedah, on Aug 30.
Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin said the suspects, aged 24 to 49, are believed to be involved in 28 robbery and vehicle theft cases in Perak, Kedah, and Penang since June.
"They stole victims' cars parked in front of houses using modified iron rods and carried out robberies targeting victims who were inside their homes or walking alone.
"Police also seized six stolen vehicles, including a Proton Wira, Toyota Vios, Honda Accord, and Naza Citra, alongside other items belonging to the victims, with total losses estimated at RM200,000," he told a press conference at the Kerian district police headquarters here on Tuesday (Sept 8).
Mohd Alwi said the department is still tracking three more men, aged 30 to 36, believed to be connected to the gang.
He said police are investigating the case under Sections 395/397 of the Penal Code for gang and armed robbery, as well as Sections 379A, 379, and 427 of the same code for vehicle theft, theft, and committing mischief.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, Mohd Alwi said the department detained a 35-year-old local man on July 7 for suspected involvement in paint-splashing and arson cases reported since early this year.
He said investigations found the suspect borrowed from an illegal moneylending syndicate and failed to settle his debts.
"... syndicate subsequently instructed the suspect to commit acts of mischief and intimidation by splashing paint and setting fire to houses or vehicles belonging to borrowers who defaulted on their payments.
"The suspect also padlocked victims' houses and left threatening notes. For each act, he was paid between RM100 and RM400 by the syndicate," he said.
Mohd Alwi said the syndicate is believed to operate from overseas and that the suspect communicated with them by phone or Facebook.
He said the suspect was involved in 77 cases of mischief, including paint-splashing and arson, targeting vehicles and homes in Perak, Kedah, and Penang.
"Efforts to track down and arrest the syndicate members involved are ongoing," he said, adding that the case is being investigated under Sections 427 and 506 of the Penal Code for mischief and criminal intimidation. - Bernama
