MIRI: Police have struck a major blow against a housebreaking syndicate believed to have been behind a string of burglaries in the city, with the arrest of five local men.
Divisional police chief ACP Mohd Farhan Lee Abdullah said the suspects, aged between 32 and 42, were picked up in separate operations following a break-in at a home in Jalan Abelia, Luak Bay, on Sept 4.
He stated that a couple had returned home that day only to discover their house ransacked and valuables worth more than RM80,000 missing.
“Among the stolen items were 17 branded watches, gold jewellery, three phones, two laptops, perfumes, personal documents and RM30,000 in cash.
“During the arrests, police managed to recover part of the stolen loot, and efforts are ongoing to trace the rest.
“With this breakthrough, police have also solved three housebreaking cases reported in Miri this year,” he said in a statement.
Background checks found that four of the suspects were repeat offenders with prior records for theft, housebreaking and drug-related offences.
All of them have been remanded until Sept 10 under Section 457 of the Penal Code for housebreaking, which carries up to 14 years’ imprisonment, a fine or caning, upon conviction.
Urine tests also showed they were positive for methamphetamine, leading to further investigation under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952, which provides for a fine of up to RM5,000 or a maximum two years’ jail.
Mohd Farhan urged the public with information on similar cases to contact Investigating Officer Sgt Dayang Hamidah at 013-8032715, 085-432533 or lodge a report at the nearest police station.
