SEVEN locals, including two women, have been arrested over a break-in at an Ar-Rahnu pawnshop in Kota Tinggi involving losses estimated at RM28.4 million, allegedly orchestrated by its former manager to conceal an earlier breach of trust.
Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said the arrests followed a report lodged by the pawnshop's manager at 11.42am on Nov 6 over the disappearance of jewellery and cash from the premises.
He said the suspects, aged between 29 and 48, were arrested in Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru during raids conducted on Nov 7 and 8 by the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department, Johor police contingent headquarters and Kota Tinggi district police headquarters.
"Initial investigations found that the suspects allegedly broke into the premises through the front entrance before escaping through the back door with jewellery and cash," he told a press conference at the Johor police headquarters in Johor Bharu today.
Ab Rahaman said police seized various items from a house, including 2,891 pieces of jewellery of different types, RM27,371 in cash, pawn transaction receipts, a set of keys, sling bags and mobile phones.
He said one male suspect had two previous criminal records, while urine screening tests on all seven suspects returned negative results.
Further investigations indicated that the break-in was allegedly masterminded by the pawnshop's former 44-year-old female manager, together with her former colleague, to destroy evidence of an alleged breach of trust involving the pledging of counterfeit jewellery.
The fraudulent activity was believed to have been carried out over the past four to five years.
"We believe most of the jewellery stolen and subsequently seized was not genuine gold but imitation jewellery pledged by the suspects using fictitious customer identities to obtain cash," he said.
Ab Rahaman said the former manager's husband was also among those arrested to assist in investigations.
Four suspects have been remanded until Nov 14, while the remaining three are in remand until Nov 15.
The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code for housebreaking with intent to commit an offence and Section 408 for criminal breach of trust by a clerk or servant.
Ab Rahaman advised the public against speculation or comments that could interfere with investigations and urged anyone with relevant information to contact Johor police. - November 10, 2026
