Ahsmon (right) shows a stolen motorcycle that was successfully recovered.
KUCHING (July 7): Police have crippled a motorcycle theft syndicate known as the ‘Jack Gang’ with the arrest of seven members, including its leader, on Tuesday (June 29).
Kuching police chief ACP Ahsmon Bajah said all the suspects were arrested during Ops Lejang at five separate locations around the district.
He said all the suspects aged between 22 and 40 are believed to be involved in at least 23 motorcycle theft cases involving losses of up to RM108,000.
“The syndicate has been active since the end of 2020 and is targeting motorcycles that are in high demand.
“The modus operandi of this syndicate is to steal motorcycles which will be brought to behind a carwash at Jalan Sekama and then sold or dismantled,” he said.
Ahsmon added the stolen motorcycles or dismantled motorcycle components would then be sold on social media.
“We found that they have their own website to sell these items and an investigation is still ongoing.
“I would also like to emphasise to the public not to buy these stolen items because if caught, they can be accused of abetment,” he said.
The arrest of the suspects also led to the discovery of three stolen motorcycles that had yet to be sold.
“Preliminary investigations also found that the syndicate also committed burglary in Kuching by targeting houses that did not have lights on at night,” he said.
All the suspects are being investigated under Sections 379A and 457 of the Penal Code.
“If convicted, they can be sentenced to up to 14 years in prison and action under the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) 1959 will also be taken simultaneously,” Ahsmon said.
He also revealed that the leader of the syndicate, known as ‘Jack’, was a Poca detainee in Kuching and had 22 previous criminal records for various offences, while the members of the syndicate also have previous criminal records for drugs, property, or violent crimes.