Police rout gang of thieves which targeted old cars

MELAKA: The police have put the brakes on a gang of car-jackers which used measuring metal rulers to break into old vehicles in the state.

This followed the arrest of six members of the ‘Pembaris Gang’ ( Ruler Gang) who were allegedly linked to the theft of old cars in Melaka.

Six stolen cars worth about RM20,000 were recovered by the police in a series of operations.

Initial police investigations revealed the gang which had been active since April, had targeted old cars which were not fitted with burglar alarms.

Gang members would then use a metal ruler to gain access into the vehicles.

Melaka Tengah police chief ACP Salehhudin Abd Rahman said the suspects were nabbed at separate locations in Melaka Tengah and Jasin, between 5am and 11pm on Monday.

He said the 45-year- old suspected gang leader, who was a former taxi driver, was picked up about 5am, at the parking lot of the Melaka Sentral.

“The man was in an old Proton Saga, which was reported missing in Bukit Baru here in April,” he told reporters at a media conference here yesterday.

Salehhudin said the suspect tested positive on methamphetamine and had 10 previous criminal records, including car theft, cheating and theft from buildings.

Following the arrest, the police nabbed five more members of the gang, comprising three taxi drivers and two self- employed.

“With the arrests, we believe we have solved 12 cases of thefts involving old cars,” said Salehhudin.

The police chief said six stolen cars, including a Toyota Corolla KE and Datsun 120Y, which were parked at several housing areas were seized, together with several tools used to steal cars.

The tools included metal rulers, metal cutter, crow-bar and screw drivers. — Bernama