A total of 21 individuals, including one woman, have been apprehended by the authorities for their suspected involvement in a vehicle theft ring uncovered during Op Lejang Khas 1/26. The suspects, all of whom are local citizens aged between 33 and 50, were detained following a series of raids across the Wangsa Maju district since January. During the operation, police successfully recovered 24 vehicles of various models that had previously been reported missing.
Wangsa Maju District Police Chief, Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohamad Lazim Ismail, revealed during a press conference on Thursday that the detainees are linked to four active criminal groups. These syndicates, identified as the Prakash, Ican, Kobis, and Botak Kuang gangs, primarily targeted motorcycles parked in high-risk zones. Frequent hotspots for these thefts included People’s Housing Projects (PPR) and various business hubs located within Setapak and Wangsa Maju.
Investigations into the syndicates’ modus operandi showed that they often exploited owner negligence, such as keys being left in ignitions or vehicles parked in secluded spots lacking security features. To evade detection, the criminals utilised forged registration numbers before transporting the stolen motorcycles to areas outside the Klang Valley, including Gombak. The stolen property was either sold as complete units or dismantled to be sold as spare parts through online platforms like Facebook.
The three-month intelligence operation, conducted from 1 January to 20 March, involved the D4 Division of the Wangsa Maju Criminal Investigation Department and several local police stations. Popular motorcycle models, such as the Yamaha LC 125, were frequently targeted due to high market demand. While five recovered vehicles have been returned to their rightful owners, the remaining assets have been handed over to other district police headquarters for further processing.
In addition to the arrests, the police conducted extensive inspections on 4,109 individuals, 3,157 vehicles, and 10 workshops to bolster crime prevention efforts. Currently, five suspects have been charged in court under Sections 379A, 379, and 411 of the Penal Code. Moving forward, the public is strongly advised to use additional locks and park in well-lit areas equipped with closed-circuit television (CCTV) systems to safeguard their property.
