Stanley (second left) and Collin (left) show some of the items recovered from the housebreaking gang.
SIBU (June 22): The police have smashed a housebreaking gang in here with the arrest of its leader and three other individuals, and recovery of stolen items worth about RM50,000.
Sibu police chief ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit said the gang, dubbed Geng Jaya, is believed to have been behind at least 20 break-ins here since 2019.
“The arrest of the four individuals including the gang’s leader was made following 18 raids conducted by Sibu Criminal Investigation Division.
“The leader, a 36-year-old man, was arrested on May 30 and this led to the subsequent arrest of a woman, 24, and 35-year-old man who are believed to be members of the gang,” he told a press conference here yesterday.
Stanley said the fourth arrest was that of 31-year-old man who is suspected to be the buyer of the stolen items.
All four suspects have been remanded for further investigation, he added.
He said the items recovered included local and foreign currency, wristwatches, televisions, a motorcycle, laptops, a set of golf clubs, shoes, handbags, mobile phones, gold jewellery, a bag containing Iban costume accessories, mini speaker, and axe.
“The gang’s modus operandi was to select luxurious, unoccupied and isolated houses.
“They would first pull the electric meter fuse of the targeted house before entering the unit through the roof or window and conduct the burglary. Them the will use the house of their accomplice as a transit place before selling the stolen items,” Stanley explained.
He also called on those who have lodged housebreaking reports to head to Sibu Central Police Station to identify the recovered items.
“They can also go to the nearest police station or contact Inspector Kumareswaran Murugan at 013-8024313.”
At the press conference were Sibu deputy police chief Supt Collin Babat and Sibu CID head DSP Hadian Keria.