KUCHING: A car theft syndicate that goes by ‘Ah Ann’ which targeted four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicles in Kuching and other districts, has been crippled with the arrests of three locals.
However, two more accomplices are still at large and the police are working hard to track down the suspects with help from other district police headquarters (IPD).
Kuching district police chief ACP Ahsmon Bajah when met by reporters yesterday, said the integrated operation led by ASP Rozaiman from Oct 25, resulted in the arrests of three men aged between 29 and 41.
“The suspects who are also former detainees under the Prevention of Crime Act (POCA) 1959, have a combined total of 50 past criminal records related to drugs and property crimes.
“We found that they had just finished serving their term (in prison) last year and now, they are arrested again.
“Investigation found that ‘Ah Ann’ have been active (in stealing 4WD vehicles) since early this year,” he told.
The syndicate’s modus operandi is of ‘professional’ standard as they use a signal jammer device and other equipment to bypass the vehicle’s security systems, gain entry and start up the vehicle.
He added that the syndicate would use their own car to scout their targeted area before committing the crime.
Ahsmon disclosed that the stolen vehicles can be sold up to RM50,000 depending on the vehicle’s condition and it also involves the markets of neighbouring countries.
With the arrests, the police believed that nine cases of 4WD vehicle thefts involving losses amounting to RM700,000, are solved.
Also seized during the operation are two 4WD vehicles, a RF GS detector, a set of vehicle equipment, a set of car keys, a portable signal jammer, a drill, a modified screwdriver, two cables and two plate numbers.
The case is being investigated under Section 379A/382A of the Penal Code, which carries a jail term of up to seven years and a fine, if convicted.
