KUALA LUMPUR, March 26 — The police have crippled four active 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 January 1 until Friday (March 20).
Wangsa Maju police chief SAC Mohamad Lazim Ismail said the suspects, aged between 33 and 50, comprising 20 men and a woman, were detained in the Klang Valley.
“Investigations revealed that the four syndicates, which are not linked to one another, targeted high-demand motorcycle models such as the Yamaha LC.
“They exploit the carelessness of owners who leave keys on their motorcycles, particularly in hotspot areas like People’s Housing Projects (PPR) and commercial centres around Setapak and Wangsa Maju,” he told the media after an event at the Wangsa Maju district police headquarters today.
Lazim added that 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, and with these arrests, 24 cases have been successfully solved,” he said.
In the same operation, the police also screened 4,109 individuals, inspected 3,157 vehicles, and checked 10 motorcycle workshop premises to detect the use of stolen vehicles or components.
Lazim warned the public against purchasing suspicious second-hand vehicle parts, as buyers can be prosecuted under Section 411 of the Penal Code for possessing stolen property.
Meanwhile, 322 motorcycle theft cases were recorded in 2025 within the Wangsa Maju district, involving losses estimated at RM2.6 million.
The public is advised to enhance vehicle security by using additional locks and parking in safer locations equipped with closed-circuit television cameras.
Earlier, he also presented certificates of appreciation to 12 media practitioners in recognition of their contributions.
