Bogus health dept robbery gang crippled

Gang members masqueraded as Health Department and pest control company staff.

NIBONG TEBAL: The police have crippled a robbery gang masquerading as Health Department staff carrying out fogging activities at foreign workers’ quarters in the state after arresting five men in Kamunting, Perak on February 8.

Penang CID chief Mazlan Kesah said one of the men was arrested at a house in Kamunting, after which four of his friends were also caught in the same area.

“They masqueraded as Health Department and pest control company staff, requesting victims to evacuate their premises for spraying purposes, but at the same time took the opportunity to steal valuable items such as electronic equipment and cash,” he told a press conference here yesterday.

He said three of the five men aged between 19 and 27 tested positive for drugs while two others had past criminal records.

Based on investigations, the group was believed to be involved in 51 cases, 19 in Penang involving losses of more than RM100,000, and the rest in Kedah, Perak and Negeri Sembilan.

He said the police also seized one mosquito repellant spray pump, chemicals, a mobile phone and a four-wheel-drive vehicle which was used by the gang to carry out the robberies.

Mazlan said the police were looking for a man named Mohd Nuzul Che Man, 27, from Kamunting, Perak, to assist investigations and those with any information regarding the man were urged to contact the nearest police station.

Meanwhile in another development, Mazlan said the body found floating in Sungai Udang here last Saturday was that of a Sikh woman who was reportedly kidnapped in Subang Jaya, Selangor a day earlier.

“The case is being investigated by the Selangor police contingent and Penang police will assist with investigations as the body was found in this state,” he said.

The 60-year-old woman who was the managing director of a security company was reported missing after going out to visit her colleagues at a premise in Bandar Sunway at 3.30pm Friday.

The woman’s husband was reported to have received a call from a woman asking him to hand over some ransom money if he wanted his wife back safely.

- BERNAMA