Hamzah (centre) with ASP Ladamah Sulaiman (left) and Inspector Mohamad Soffi showing the stolen items.
LAHAD DATU: Three men, aged between 31 and 39, were detained for suspected involvement in break-in and theft cases at Taman Aman 3 and I-Peak Commercial Centre here recently.
District police chief Assistant Commissioner of Police Hamzah Ahmad told reporters yesterday that policenabbed another three men and six women believed to be the buyers of the stolen goods.
Hamzah said the first suspect, aged 39, was arrested on June 3 at Kampung Tabana after he was found involved in the theft and house break-in case at Taman Aman 3.
The suspect was found stealing a CD player and a bag from a car after breaking the window on May 26. He also stole a rice cooker, a laptop, a mobile phone, six pairs of shoes, two irons, two backpacks, a guitar, a watch and a piggy bank from a house on June 1.
“Following the arrest of the suspect, we have detained two men and a woman believed to have bought the stolen goods from the suspect. Police also seized a keyboard, shoes, rice cooker and CD player from the buyers,” he said.
According to Hamzah, another man was held on June 4 after the police found his involvement in the business premises break-ins at I-Peak Commercial centre amounting to losses of RM8,000.
Following the arrest of the 31-year-old suspect, police also apprehended two women and a man believed to be the buyers of the stolen goods and managed to recover a dish rack, utensils, an electrical pot, steamer and television.
The suspect also led to the arrest of his accomplice, a 37-year-old man at Taman Fajar on the same day. Police also seized a Proton Waja believed used in the incident.
“On June 6 and 7, we nabbed three women believed to be the buyers of the stolen goods and seized several items from them,” he said.
According to Hamzah, the suspects will take the opportunity to commit crimes at dark premises with low security system. They will then sell the stolen goods to the public at a cheaper price.
Hamzah reminded the public to increase the security of their property and not to buy anything at unreasonable prices as they could be charged.
He added that the suspects were currently in police custody for further investigation under Section 379 and 457 of the Penal Code, while the stolen goods buyers will be investigated under Section 411 of the Penal Code.