GEORGE TOWN: Police crippled a luxury car theft gang dubbed ‘Geng Motokar Mewah’ and detained seven suspects earlier this month.
State police chief commissioner Datuk T. Narenasagaran said several locations in Kedah, Perlis and Perak were raided on Feb 1.
Six men and a woman, aged 25 to 48, were detained in the raid.
They had been remanded in Johor over vehicle thefts reported there before they were brought here yesterday for investigations into the Penang cases.
During the raid, police seized three vehicles believed to be stolen, gadgets and tools used to steal cars, 15 phones, two laptops and a few fake road tax stickers.
“In total, 30 vehicles are believed to have been stolen by the group in Penang, Kedah and Johor and from the arrests we believe we have solved 11 cases, nine in Penang and two in Johor,” he told a press conference today.
The gang uses computerised gadgets, including toy two track, jammer, key programmer and smart key to hack vehicles.
“These gadgets, including instruction manuals, can be purchased through online platforms.
“We believe that is why they know how to use them.”
Narenasagaran said the gang targeted luxury cars parked by the roadside.
“The cars are resold for as little as RM18,000 to RM42,000 to neighbouring countries.
“We believe they use the land route,” he added.
Asked whether the mastermind was among the detainees, he said police were still investigating.
He said they were investigating the level of involvement of the woman and identifying other syndicate members, if any.
The case is being investigated under Penal Codes of Section 379(A)(1) for theft of motor vehicle, Section 411 for possessing stolen properties and Section 414 for concealment of stolen property.
