A man who was released from prison just two months ago for criminal offenses has been arrested again — this time for allegedly stealing vehicles and telecommunication cables in the Kuala Muda district.
The 21-year-old local suspect, known as “Kucai,” has 10 previous criminal records, including five related to drugs and five involving other crimes.
Kuala Muda District Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Hanyan Ramlan, said the suspect was detained along with three accomplices aged between 21 and 25 during three separate raids under “Op Lejang” carried out by the district’s Criminal Investigation Department (BSJD) since last month.
Investigations revealed that the suspect was a former employee of a telecommunications company, which may have given him the knowledge and confidence to commit the crimes.
“After being released from prison, the suspect is believed to have recruited three friends to join him in stealing cables and vehicles. They were skilled — capable of stealing a car within just five minutes using an ‘Allen key,’” Hanyan said at the Kuala Muda District Police Headquarters yesterday.
He added that the group targeted older vehicles, particularly Proton Wira models, which they would then use to carry out their cable theft operations.
Their modus operandi involved patrolling residential areas in a Proton Wira to identify potential targets. The group also carried modified tools, including a “T-handle” and customized Allen keys.
Hanyan said all four suspects will be handed over to nearby police stations as they are also believed to be linked to similar theft cases in Kulim, Yan, Pendang, and Seberang Perai Utara (SPU) in Penang.
“All suspects are from Sungai Petani, and investigations are still ongoing,” he added.
