Repeat offender 'Jack' strikes again, nabbed with 4 others
Zuliaty Zulkiffli
KUALA MUDA: A repeat offender who was released from prison just three months ago has been arrested again, this time for allegedly leading a group involved in a spate of break-ins targeting commercial premises and homes across the district.
The 30-year-old suspect, known as Jack, has a record of 36 criminal offences and 11 drug-related cases.
He is also listed as a wanted person in one ongoing case.
Jack and four other members of the so-called 'Geng Jack' were picked up in two separate raids on Wednesday.
Kuala Muda police chief Assistant Commissioner Hanyan Ramlan said the suspects, aged between 29 and 52, were involved in a string of break-ins targeting commercial properties and homes in the area.
"The group operated by donning uniforms bearing utility company logos to create the impression they were on duty in the area, when in fact they were committing criminal break-ins at night or in the early morning," he said at a press conference at the Kuala Muda police headquarters today.
Following the arrests, police managed to solve 15 cases, including office burglaries, a break-in at a kindergarten, a Japanese restaurant, and several swiftlet farms in Kedah and Penang.
Hanyan said the group had even dismantled a safe containing cash at the kindergarten and attempted to sell it to a scrap metal outlet.
"The group is believed to target premises with high potential for lucrative returns. They used various burglary tools such as crowbars, screwdrivers, grinders, small saws, and chisels to force entry," he said.
During the raids, police seized a Proton Persona believed to belong to the main suspect, four packets of crystal-like substances suspected to be methamphetamines (weighing approximately 1.82g), two backpacks, two wallets, six watches, and a gold necklace.
Also confiscated were a handbag, RM833 in cash, foreign currency amounting to RM1,455, four baseball caps, a purse, coins, various keys, five mobile phones, a laptop, and several utility company-branded shirts.
The total value of the seized items is estimated at nearly RM40,000.
The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code for housebreaking.
The offence carries a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and a fine.
Hanyan added that all five suspects have prior records for criminal and drug-related offences.
They are currently under remand and tested positive for methamphetamine.
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