Police cripple two Penang motorcycle theft gangs, 53 motorcycle frames found

GEORGE TOWN: Police have succeeded in smashing two motorcycle theft gangs active in the state after detaining seven men and recovering 53 motorcycle frames dumped into three rivers in Tasek Gelugor, near here recently.

Northeast district police chief ACP Anuar Omar said based on a tip- off and police intelligence, five members of the Pak Tam gang aged between 19 and 21 were apprehended separately in Butterworth, Perai and Nibong Tebal near here since May 26.

“From the arrests, police confiscated various motorcycle components and equipment to steal such vehicles.

“Based on investigations, the gang members disposed of the motorcycles frames into Sungai Kereh and Sungai Jarak in Tasek Gelugor after recovering the valuable parts. Police found 47 motorcycle frames in the two rivers,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

He said initial investigations found the gangs were involved in motorcycle thefts since last year and they targeted vehicles parked at f lats around the northeast district.

Anuar said the gang members had their respective roles in stealing, dismantling, selling motorcycles or components and disposing the frames into the rivers.

He said the second group identified as Syahir gang was busted after police detained two factory workers aged 21 and 23 in Butterworth, near here on May 25 and investigations found they were involved in motorcycle theft since early this year.

Police also seized motorcycle theft equipment and various components as well as six motorcycle frames in Sungai Datuk Keramat in Tasek Gelugor following their arrests, he said.

“Both gang members were not related to each other but were active in stealing motorcycles in several districts in the state. They also have the expertise to steal a motorcycle with an allen key in less than 10 seconds,” he said. — Bernama