SIBU: A juvenile gang’s six-month break-in and looting spree came to an end on Sunday (Oct 29) while they were trying to break into a downtown coffee shop here.
Police who were alerted at about 7.20am responded swiftly and made short work of their attempt.
“Nine male juveniles aged between 11 and 16, some of them still students, were apprehended on Oct 29-30 at various locations around the city centre,” said Sibu Police Chief ACP Zulkipli Suhaili.
“Several items related to the cases were seized as evidence to assist in the investigation.
“All suspects who were apprehended fall under the category of child detainees governed by the Child Act 2001 [Act 611].”
According to Zulkipli the modus operandi of this gang, known as the Dino Group, was to target coffee shops and convenience stores that lacked CCTV cameras late in the night or early in the morning.
“They would break in by forcibly lifting the roller shutter doors and steal various types of grocery items and cash,” he said.
He said following the arrests of the gang which has been operating since May this year, police have closed nine cases involving break-ins and thefts at coffee shops and convenience stores in the city centre, involving a total loss of RM10,500.
All suspects have been remanded in custody until Nov 11 to facilitate investigation.
