MIRI: Police have dismantled a house burglary and vehicle theft gang here, following the arrest of four drug addicts.
Local men aged between 22 and 50 were apprehended by the Criminal Investigation Division of the Miri police headquarters on the roadside in front of an unnumbered house at Pujut 8, around 3pm on Dec 26.
Miri police chief Assistant Commissioner Alexson Naga Chabu said initial investigation of all suspects led to the discovery of a Perodua Viva whose components were found dismantled and concealed in a bushy area along Jalan Permyjaya Bypass.
The vehicle is suspected to be stolen.
"The modus operandi of this group involves targeting vacant houses, breaking in, and stealing vehicles.
"Upon identifying a target, the group employs various methods, including picking locks or forcing entry into houses.
"After successfully gaining access to the house, the group targets valuables and then flees in a vehicle parked nearby," he said in a statement.
He confirmed that urine tests conducted on all the suspects revealed positive results for methamphetamine.
He added that upon reviewing past records, all suspects had previous criminal offences, including drug abuse.
Alexson said with the group's arrest, the police have resolved several cases of housebreaking and vehicle theft in the district, totaling an estimated loss of RM18,000.
He said all suspects have been remanded for four days starting from Dec 27.
Regarding the charges, burglary and theft are being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code where if convicted, individuals can face a maximum sentence of 14 years in prison, along with fines or whipping for subsequent offences.
Vehicle theft, on the other hand, is being investigated under Section 379A of the Penal Code, which carries a penalty of imprisonment ranging from one to seven years, alongside a possible fine.