MARAN: Police busted three motorcycle theft gangs following the arrest of 18 youths aged between 14 and 23 in separate raids here.

With the arrests, police now believe they have solved at least 30 cases in the district since early this year.

District police chief Deputy Superintendent Ahmad Johari Shahabudin said most of the suspects were secondary school students and sons of Felda settlers who carried out the thefts for side income.

The first to be nabbed on Sept 22 and Sept 23 were nine members from Geng Leh, suspected of having committed 15 thefts between February and September.

In a second swoop, Geng Azhar made up of five youths aged between 15 and 19, from Kota Gelanggi, Jerantut were arrested between Sept 27 and 29.
They were alleged to be involved in six motorcycle thefts in Bandar Jengka here since March this year.

Geng Pelam from Felda New Zealand here was the third on the police hit list.

The gang of four aged 18 and 19 are suspected of being involved in nine cases around Sri Jaya here since January this year.

"They move in two groups. The first group would scout for motorcycles to steal at shopping complexes and housing areas.

"After finding their targets and ascertaining that there were no cops around, they would contact the second team immediately," said Ahmad Johari.

He said the second team would use a master key and ride off with the motorcycles.

They would then cannibalise the motorcycle parts before selling them to close friends and divide the cash among the gang members.

It was learnt that the Azhar and Pelam gangs preferred to carry out their activities during the night, while Geng Leh struck during the day.

Police managed to recover some of the stolen motorcycles while the suspects have been released on police bail.