Johor Police Bust Geng Atan, Arrest Four Members

JOHOR BAHRU, Jan 2 (Bernama) -- The police have busted 'Geng Atan’, a group involved in house burglaries and vehicle thefts, with the arrest of four local men during separate raids in the city on Dec 11 last year.

Johor police chief Datuk M Kumar stated that the suspects, aged between 41 and 52, were detained under Ops Pintu and Ops Lejang. The group has been active since 2011.

"Their modus operandi involved breaking into unoccupied houses by prying open sliding doors, then ransacking the property and stealing valuable items, including vehicles," he said in a statement today.

He added that the arrests have led to the resolution of 19 reported cases of house burglaries and vehicle thefts in Johor Bahru, Seri Alam, Iskandar Puteri, Pontian, Muar, Tangkak, and Kota Tinggi.

Several mobile phones, branded handbags, watches, and electronic goods belonging to the victims, along with burglary tools such as allen keys, gloves, face masks, and three vehicles were seized.

Kumar said that checks revealed all four suspects have prior criminal and drug-related records, with the most extensive involving 64 offences. They also tested positive for methamphetamine.

He added that the suspects are currently in remand and will be charged at the Johor Bahru Magistrate's Court tomorrow, followed by charges at the Pontian and Muar courts.

The case is being investigated under Sections 457, 414, and 411 of the Penal Code, Section 29(1) of the Minor Offenses Act 1955, and Section 39C of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.

-- BERNAMA