Cops bust 4 motorcycle theft syndicates in Klang Valley

2026-03-26 - 04:50

Wangsa Maju police chief Lazim Ismail said the stolen motorcycles were either dismantled and sold as spare parts or resold as complete units through online platforms at below-market prices. (Bernama pic) KUALA LUMPUR: Police have crippled four vehicle theft syndicates in the capital following the arrest of 21 suspects and the seizure of 24 motorcycles worth an estimated RM248,000 in operations conducted from Jan 1 until last Friday. Wangsa Maju police chief Lazim Ismail said the suspects, between 33 and 50 years of age, were detained in the Klang Valley area. “Investigations revealed that the four syndicates, which are not linked to one another, targeted high-demand motorcycle models such as the Yamaha LC. “They exploited the carelessness of owners who left keys in their motorcycles, particularly in hotspot areas like People’s Housing Projects and commercial centres around Setapak and Wangsa Maju,” he told reporters after an event at the Wangsa Maju district police headquarters here today. He said the stolen motorcycles were either dismantled and sold as spare parts or resold as complete units through online platforms at below-market prices. Five suspects have already been charged in court under Sections 379A, 379, and 411 of the Penal Code, while investigations into the remaining suspects are ongoing. “These syndicates are believed to have been active for one to two years. With these arrests, 24 cases have been solved,” he said. In the same operation, police also screened 4,109 individuals, inspected 3,157 vehicles, and checked 10 motorcycle workshop premises for the use of stolen vehicles or components. Lazim warned the public against purchasing suspicious second-hand vehicle parts, saying buyers could be prosecuted under Section 411 of the Penal Code for possessing stolen property. A total of 322 cases of motorcycle theft were recorded within the Wangsa Maju district in 2025, involving estimated losses of RM2.6 million. The public is advised to enhance vehicle security by using additional locks and parking in safer locations equipped with CCTV cameras.