Police have arrested 10 suspects believed to be involved in two house break-ins and the murder of a 71-year-old man in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday morning, 29 November
Bernama reported that the same suspects are believed to be involved in the robberies of a double-storey bungalow in Bukit Bandaraya, Bangsar as well as another home in Taman Tiara Titiwangsa, Setapak in the same morning.
The deceased, Datuk Dr Wan Hassan Wan Embong, was a retired researcher and director of Malaysian Agriculture Research and Development Institute (MARDI).
He died after sustaining slash wounds to the neck and body while allegedly trying to fend off the burglars during the 3am home invasion.
Image via Harian Metro
In the first break and entry in Bangsar, Brickfields police chief ACP Anuar Omar said at least two suspects were believed to have caused a power outage before sneaking in through the kitchen window
According to New Straits Times, Dr Wan Hassan and his 70-year-old wife were roused from their sleep and went downstairs to check on the noise.
The intruders, armed with machetes, threatened the elderly couple to hand over their valuables.
The retired researcher tried to fight off the assailants but sustained fatal wounds and died at the scene. Meanwhile, his wife was slashed in the shoulder and was later admitted to Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) for treatment.
The suspects fled with the victims’ valuables through the back. The actual value of belongings taken has yet to be established.
It is learnt that the suspects then proceeded to rob a second house belonging to a 34-year-old engineer in Setapak some two hours later
Kuala Lumpur Criminal Investigation Department (CID) chief SAC Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the suspects used a similar modus operandi for the second break-in, which took place at 5.15am.
However, according to Berita Harian, this time the 14 occupants of the house, consisting of the engineer’s family members and one maid, were tied up with cable wires and had their mouths gagged with pieces of cloth.
“They ransacked all the rooms and ran away with two television sets, three laptops, two handphones, gold necklaces and bracelets, and RM3,500 in cash,” said the CID chief.
Following initial investigations, ACP Anuar Omar confirmed the arrest of 10 suspects last night
Anuar Omar said the police have collected fingerprints from both crime scenes and also found a government pension card belonging to Dr Wan Hassan on the road outside the second home.
“Yes, we have arrested 10 individuals last night, including the main suspects,” he said, when contacted by New Straits Times today, 30 November.
“Investigations are ongoing under several sections of the Penal Code, including for murder and burglary.”
According to him, the details of the arrest will be announced by Kuala Lumpur Police chief Datuk Saiful Azly Kamaruddin in a press conference later today.