31 arrested, three car theft gangs identified in JB
JOHOR BARU: Police recently arrested 31 people and identified three gangs who were responsible for cases of vehicle theft in Tampoi and Kempas.
Speaking to reporters at the Johor Baru Utara police station here today, Johor Baru Utara district police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohd Taib Ahmad said police have nicknamed the gangs as the Rahman Gang, Moiz Gang and 'Limau Bali' Gang.
They were active in Kampung Pasir and Kampung Maju Jaya in Tampoi, and in Kampung Sri Aman in Kempas.
The members used illegal workshops to store stolen vehicles, dismantle the parts and sell them.
The 31 people were arrested during "Op Lejang Khas" conducted by the district police, who checked 2,731 vehicles and 3,704 people between Feb 24 and March 8.
A total of 65 vehicle parts and components dismantled from stolen vehicles were seized in the operation.
"The 31 suspects are aged between 23 and 35, and we believed we have solved 35 cases of car and motorcycle thefts from the arrests and raids carried out at the illegal workshops," he said.
Of the 31 arrested, 25 tested positive for drugs.
The case is being investigated under Section 379A of the Penal code for vehicle theft.
"We are also investigating the case under Section 29(1) of the Minor Offences Act 1955, as well as Section 414 and Section 411 of the Penal Code for dealing with stolen property," he said.
