Big haul: DCP Mohd Adnan Abdullah (third from left) showing reporters the seized items.
SHAH ALAM: Latin American thieves responsible for some of the 53 housebreaking cases in Selangor were arrested in Dutamas, Kuala Lumpur.
They would target a house and ring the doorbell several times to make sure that no one is at home.
“When it’s confirmed that the house is empty, they would climb over the gate or fence and gain access before carting away valuables, especially luxury watches, jewellery and cash,” said Selangor CID chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Mohd Adnan Abdullah.
He added that four Latin Americans, believed to be Colombians – aged between 30 and 34 – were detained at a unit in Seri Putramas Condominium, off Jalan Kuching at about 11pm on Nov 8.
Various housebreaking tools, passports, handphones, gloves, cameras and handbags in the rented unit were seized.
“These suspects were tracked down after three of their accomplices were nabbed on Nov 2,” he said at a press conference yesterday.
Out of the four, three possessed passports while the other did not have a valid travel document.
The suspects are being remanded until this Wednesday.
A rented luxury car was also seized.
DCP Mohd Adnan said between January and October this year, 53 housebreaking cases involving Latin Americans with estimated losses of RM8mil had been reported.
Of these cases, 33 were reported in Petaling Jaya, five in Ampang, five in Kajang, five in Shah Alam, three in Subang Jaya and two in Serdang.
Earlier this month, police busted a Latin American housebreaking syndicate with the arrests of three men. The suspects were arrested at rented premises in Damansara at night.
Police seized various housebreaking tools and a fake gun.
The trio are still under remand.
Those who had their homes broken into are urged to contact the nearest police station.
“We need them to come forward and identify if some of the items belong to them,” he said.
