This follows the recent arrest of a 37-year-old man in Jalan Simbang 3 in Taman Perling here after he had carted several air-conditioning compressors from several houses in the district.

  The  break came when the police received a distress call one afternoon about a burglary in progress.

  A team of crime prevention policemen from Taman Perling police station then rushed to the house.

  Upon arrival, the team spotted a silver-coloured Inokom Atos car parked along the road.

  One male suspect was carting several compressors into the car, while another male suspect was scaling the wall of a house.

  One of the suspects managed to flee, while the man carting the compressors into the car was arrested.

  Further checks revealed that the suspects had stolen 11 compressors and also had in their possession metal rods and tools to access the air-conditioning units.

  Initial investigations revealed that the suspects would drive around residential areas in the district to look out for vulnerable targets during the day time.

  It is learned that the air-conditioning compressors, most of which were in good working condition, can be sold in the black market where the compressors are then passed off as reconditioned units.

  Johor Baru Utara police chief, Assistant Comissioner Ruslan Hassan, confirmed the incident and said the suspect was in police custody.

  "We are investigating the case and checking the suspect's involvement in other similar cases within the district.

  Ruslan said police have also seized the car which contained the compressors as evidence, and are  on the lookout for the other suspect in connection with the case.

  "I would like to advise the public to be watchful of any suspicious activity that they might come across in their neighbourhood," he said.

  Those with information can call the Johor Baru North police headquarters at  07-556 1222 or the state police contingent hotline at 07-221 2999.