GEORGE TOWN: Penang police have solved more than 10 robbery cases, including armed robberies, following the arrest of five men separately around the state recently.
State police chief Datuk Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said the first arrest was made on Jan 1 involving two men, aged 26 and 30, at Jalan Berjaya and Taman Desa Damai in Bukit Mertajam.
He said the duo was arrested in relation with an armed robbery at a convenience store at Jalan Betik, Bukit Mertajam on Dec 9.
They were believed to have been active since early December.
"We do not rule out the possibility that they were about to rob convenience stores in the area prior to the arrest," he told a press conference today.
Mohd Shuhaily said police believed six armed robbery cases in the Seberang Prai Tengah district were solved following their detention.
"Both suspects have criminal records and tested positive for drugs. They have been remanded for six days until Jan 6 for further investigation.
"Preliminary investigations found they targeted convenience stores operating late at night by making off with sales proceeds and mobile phones," he said.
He said police also confiscated two Yamaha 125z and SYM motorcycles, a car, two mobile phones, a machete, four helmets and two crossbody bags from the two suspects.
Mohd Shuhaily said the second robbery gang was busted on Dec 25, with the arrest of two men, aged 24 and 25, in Kepala Batas.
"They were arrested at 6pm on suspicion of being involved in a convenience store robbery in the Prai Utara, where they had used machete during the attack.
"At least three robbery cases and a motorcycle theft case were successfully solved. Both suspects were remanded until Jan 4 to assist the investigation," he added.
Meanwhile, Mohd Shuhaily said a 30-year-old man was arrested in George Town on Dec 30 over a robbery case on Dec 28 at Jalan Rafaie, Tanjung Bungah here.
"The suspect is believed to be involved in five robbery cases in the northeast district and a motorcycle theft in the southwest district.
"The suspect, who has nine past cases, is believed to have been active since March last year," he said.