KUALA TERENGGANU: A 45-year-old man suspected of carrying out two armed robberies in Kuala Terengganu last month was arrested in Johor on Monday.
Following his arrest, six of his friends, including a woman, were detained in Kuala Terengganu at two separate locations on the same day.
A .38 revolver with ten bullets in two plastic bags were found hidden in a bush near a house at Jalan Cherong lanjut, Kuala Terengganu, believed to belong to the suspect.
State police chief Datuk Rosli Ab Rahman said the suspect was picked up near a shop in Yong Peng, Batu Pahat, Johor, at 11.30am with the help of Johor police.
Rosli said on Dec 31, the suspect, armed with a pistol, robbed a 43-year-old kindergarten manager near a bank in Kuala Terengganu and escaped with valuables and cash worth RM11,000.
"The victim was (abducted and taken by car) to the Chendering Industrial area and (abandoned) with both hands tied," he told reporters at the Kuala Terengganu police contingent here today.
Rosli added that on Dec 20, the suspect carried out a robbery attack at a petrol station at Jalan Sultan Mahmud, here.
"(He fired a shot) when he failed to get money from a cashier in the 3am incident," Rosli said, adding that his friends, including the woman, were detained to assist in the investigation.
He said the man, who is considered the main suspect, is being remanded for four days until Jan 21, while his six friends are being remanded until Jan 20, for further investigation.
The case is being investigated under Section 392/397 of the Penal Code, Section 3 of the Firearms Act 1971, and Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960.