KL snatch theft syndicate rakes in RM60,000 a month

 

A snatch theft syndicate has been earning up to RM60,000 a month by only snatching gold necklaces and bracelets from women in Kuala Lumpur.

Police said the syndicate comprising three individuals in their 30s had been involved in almost 300 snatch thefts between 2018 and January 2021.

The police had been following the syndicate closely and picked up two of the syndicate members in Gombak on Jan 26.

The arrests came after a 32-year old victim filed a report on the same date after the suspects snatched her when she was riding a motorcycle in Wangsa Maju.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Saiful Azly Kamaruddin (above) said that the syndicate targeted female motorcycle riders or pillion riders.

"The two rode separate motorcycles where one would snatch the necklace or bracelet from the victim, and his accomplice would closely tail him.

"If his attempt failed, his accomplice would immediately make a second attempt," he said in a media conference in Kuala Lumpur today.

Saiful said the suspects, who operated a chicken rice restaurant and a vape shop, would then sell the stolen gold items to a man known as "Angah" at RM190 per gramme.

He added that Angah is still at large, while the police are also on the hunt for another male syndicate member known as "Babie".

With the lucrative earnings, the suspects were able to purchase luxury bags for their wives, luxury cars, and fund their chicken rice and vape businesses.

Following the arrest, the police seized four motorcycles, a Toyota Vellfire, and a Honda Civic FD.

They have been arrested under Section 4(1)(a) of the Prevention of Crime Act (Poca) until March 7, and they were also probed under the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2001. - Mkini