Police cripple ‘Geng Alif’ motorcycle theft ring in Sungai Petani, arresting three including the leader and recovering stolen bikes worth RM45,000.
SUNGAI PETANI: Police have dismantled a motorcycle theft gang known as ‘Geng Alif’ with the arrest of three individuals, including its leader.
The suspects, aged between 32 and 48, were detained in a special operation conducted this month around the Merbok area.
Kuala Muda district police chief ACP Hanyan Ramlan said the five-member gang had been active since October last year.
Police are still tracking down the two remaining members of the group.
“The three suspects arrested are former convicts with various criminal records,” Hanyan said at a press conference.
The 32-year-old gang leader has 27 past convictions related to crime and drugs.
The other two suspects, aged 42 and 48, have five and 20 past cases respectively.
Hanyan said all the suspects are believed to have known each other while serving prison sentences.
They had been released around the same time, allowing them to regroup for criminal activities.
Their operations involved dismantling stolen motorcycles at an illegal workshop in Merbok.
Police are still tracking down the owner of the workshop to assist in investigations.
Following the raid, authorities recovered six motorcycles and two motorcycle frames.
The estimated losses from the thefts amount to RM45,000.
“The group had the skills and experience in motorcycle theft,” Hanyan added.
Their modus operandi involved dismantling the vehicles for spare parts.
The six motorcycles and two frames seized are believed to have been stolen between January and March this year.
The case is being investigated under Section 379A of the Penal Code.
