Malaysia

Criminal gangs dismantled in Melaka police operation targeting mosque thefts, vehicle crime

Police in Melaka have dismantled three active criminal groups responsible for a series of property crimes, including mosque donation box thefts and the targeting of older vehicles.

Updated 10 months ago · Published on 02 Oct 2025 4:39PM

Criminal gangs dismantled in Melaka police operation targeting mosque thefts, vehicle crime
The arrests were made during a week-long operation in late September - October 2, 2025

THREE criminal syndicates — Geng Ahtee, Geng Ahsoon Pekong and Geng Abang Wan — have been taken down by Melaka police following a targeted operation codenamed Op Pintu/Lejang Khas 2025, carried out from 22 to 28 September.

Melaka Police Chief, Datuk Dzulkhairi Mukhtar, said in a statement that the raids, conducted by the state Criminal Investigation Department’s Intelligence, Operations and Records Division (D4), were based on intelligence and surveillance efforts.

“Through three separate raids, we successfully dismantled three active criminal groups operating in the state. A total of 12 individuals, including two teenagers – a male and female student – and two unaffiliated adult men aged between 13 and 46, were arrested,” he said.

The operation involved checks on 315 premises, 179 individuals and 130 vehicles. Among the seized items were four cars, six motorcycles, five mobile phones, a machete, and various burglary tools believed to have been used in house break-ins and vehicle theft.

Dzulkhairi said the three gangs operated as organised groups and had distinct targets, typically unoccupied homes, remote mosques and suraus, and unattended old vehicles.

“Geng Ahtee focused on stealing old vehicles, both cars and motorcycles. Geng Ahsoon Pekong was involved in house break-ins and motorcycle thefts. Geng Abang Wan, comprising a married couple and two school students aged 13 and 15, were actively stealing from mosque donation boxes and also targeting motorcycles,” he said.

The arrests have led to the resolution of 25 property crime cases reported across Melaka from January to early September this year.

Preliminary urine screenings revealed that nine of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine.

The cases are being investigated under Section 379A (vehicle theft), Section 457 (housebreaking), and Section 411 (possession of stolen property) of the Penal Code.

Three members of Geng Ahtee have already been charged in court as of 30 September. Meanwhile, four members of Geng Abang Wan and three from Geng Ahsoon Pekong remain in remand, with detention orders extending until today and 6 October respectively. - October 2, 2025

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