GEORGE TOWN – Seven men linked to theft syndicate Geng Langau Biru were arrested on Thursday, with police also seizing three motorcycles and 25 chassis from different locations.
The gang is said to be active in Penang and Kedah for the past five years.
Northeast district police chief Soffian Santong said officers raided two houses in Kulim, Kedah, and detained the seven men, aged between 18 and 35.
Police confiscated three motorcycles that were reported missing, as well as 25 motorcycle chassis, in Sg Sedim, he said.
One of the suspects led police to the location where the chassis were kept.
“With help from marine police’s diving unit, we seized 25 motorcycle chassis believed to have been stolen in Penang, and Kulim and Sg Petani in Kedah,” Soffian told a press conference today.
“The investigation also found that the 25-year-old gang leader has 17 criminal and drug records.”
He said the gang’s modus operandi is to steal motorcycles for the machines’ parts, which are sold on the black market at a lower price.
The gang was allegedly involved in the recent theft of a motorcycle belonging to an officer at the police quarters in Air Itam here, he said.
“Police are tracking down the remaining members of the gang, who are still in hiding.
“The seven suspects have been remanded to assist in the investigation under Section 379A(1) of the Penal Code.”
Last year, a total of 381 cases of motorcycle theft were reported in Penang’s Northeast district, and 51 cases in the first three months of 2021.
On a separate case, Soffian said police arrested four men and a woman linked to the Copper Gang in connection with cable theft in the Northeast district.
Police intelligence led to a second-hand shop being raided and the five suspects’ arrest, he said.
“The four men admitted to being involved in four cases of cable theft, while the woman owns the second-hand shop.
“All the suspects, aged 30 to 50, have been remanded until April 2 to assist in the investigation under Sections 379 and 457 of the Penal Code.”
Last year, the district recorded 25 cases of cable theft involving RM600,000. – The Vibes, March 31, 2021
