KUCHING: Police have solved 24 cases related to car theft and house burglary following the arrests of a three-member gang known as ‘Piji’.
After a month-long of intelligence gathering, a team conducted ‘Ops Lejang Khas’ and nabbed the suspects — two men and a woman — between Sept 24 and 26.
Kuching OCPD ACP Ahsmon Bajah, speaking to the media on Tuesday (Sept 28), said the suspects were detained at a 24-hour convenience store and a rental room in Mile 3 here.
“Two men aged 26 and 39, who were released from prison in December last year, have been identified as the masterminds.
“The 28-year-old woman is in charge of finding buyers and selling the stolen goods via text messages, face-to-face sales and cash on delivery.
“All three have past records for criminal activities.”
ACP Ahsmon speaking to the media on Tuesday at the Kuching police headquarters. 
ACP Ahsmon (front row, second left), his deputy Supt Merbin Lisa (front row, third left) and other officers with the stolen items. 
ACP Ahsmon and his fellow officers holding up two saxophones that were recovered by police last week. 
The items used by the gang to commit their crimes.
The trio are being remanded for four days to facilitate investigations under Section 379A, Section 411, Section 427 and Section 457 of the Penal Code.
They are believed to have committed nine cases of vehicle theft and 15 cases of home burglary, causing losses of up to RM430,000.
Police have also recovered 20 stolen items and two vehicles.
ACP Ahsmon said that police also recovered two cars stripped of their parts and burned at an open space near Jalan Bako.
“After stealing a vehicle, they will dismantle it for spare parts and sell them. They will burn the vehicle to cover their tracks.”
He revealed that the gang would usually commit their crimes in the wee hours of the day, between 2am and 3am.
“They would rent a vehicle and changed its number plate to commit their crimes.
“One of the suspects has knowledge on how to disable the automatic gate system of a house and how to steal a vehicle.”
Police are also looking for one Muhammad Rafizie Saharie to assist in investigation.
Victims who have lodged police reports are urged to go to the Kuching police headquarters to identify the items.
The items from their crimes. 
The items from their crimes. 
The items from their crimes. 
The items from their crimes. 
ACP Ahsmon showing two vehicles with fake registration numbers, which were stolen by the gang and recovered by police last week. 
ACP Ahsmon showing two vehicles with fake registration numbers, which were stolen by the gang and recovered by police last week. 
Kuching police also managed to recover two cars stripped of their parts and burned at an open space near Jalan Bako.
