Kota Kinabalu: Sabah police have crippled seven housebreaking gangs in the State with the arrest of 64 suspects.
Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Jauteh Dikun said the suspects aged between 22 and 45, including 13 foreigners, were detained in a series of crackdowns dubbed “Ops Black Shadow” that began in June.
He said the gang members from Boy Lembaga, Amekgay, Kanchil, Sultan, Along, Tumpong and Boy Penampang comprised three women.
“Some have day jobs in the private sector. Even civil servants are among those arrested for being buyers of the stolen goods worth some RM1.18 million,” he said, adding a gun, cash, jewellery and other valuables were among the items seized.
Jauteh said the gangs would target luxury homes with safe boxes and broke into them when their owners were away.
“They would then make their escape in rented or stolen cars with fake licence plates. Following reports of break-ins and thefts, we launched the operation to trace the suspects in several districts, including Kota Kinabalu, Sandakan, Penampang, Papar and Ranau,” he added.
He said the success of the operation has led to the solving of more than 83 burglary cases.
From initial investigations, it was found that the suspects did not hurt anyone and would usually flee the scene if anyone was home.
“There was a case where the perpetrators made a run for it when confronted by a home owner,” Jauteh said.
“We are still tracing other groups using the same modus operandi," he added.
He said the cases were being investigated as housebreaking, theft and immigration offences.
“Narcotics investigators may also be roped in for suspects who are repeat drug offenders,” he added.
Meanwhile, Jauteh said the number of housebreaking cases in the State increased by 35 (3.52pc) in 2023 compared to 993 cases in 2022.
