PENAMPANG: Police have crippled a motorcycle theft syndicate known as “Kumpulan Awen,” arresting eight men aged between 19 and 42 in a coordinated operation across Penampang and Kota Marudu.
The breakthrough came on Aug 18 when Criminal Investigation Department officers from the Penampang District Police Headquarters detained five suspects at the Papar District Police Headquarters around 4.30pm.
Penampang District Police Chief Supt Sammy Newton said the group was allegedly involved in a string of motorcycle thefts in Penampang and Putatan.
Further investigations led to the arrest of three more individuals in Kota Marudu who were believed to be buyers of the stolen motorcycles.
During the arrests, police seized six motorcycles from various locations, including two Yamaha Y15Z, three Yamaha 135LC, and a Yamaha 125Z, with an estimated total value of RM40,000.
The syndicate was led by a 22-year-old local man with 12 prior criminal offences related to motorcycle theft and drug cases. His five accomplices also had records for similar offences.
Urine tests revealed that four of the suspects tested positive for methamphetamine (syabu).
Police confirmed that the operation successfully resolved six motorcycle theft cases in Penampang and Kota Kinabalu.
Supt Sammy reiterated the police’s commitment to cracking down on crime and urged the public to stay alert and report any suspicious activity.
