BENTONG: An armed robbery gang that impersonated police officers before robbing a Bangladeshi shop worker of RM9,500 in Bukit Tinggi earlier this year has been dismantled.
Five suspects, aged between 27 and 34, were arrested in a series of raids conducted in Gombak and Setapak, Selangor, between Dec 8 and 15.
Police seized three firearms, including two pistols and an airsoft pistol, along with 62 bullets, which are believed to have been purchased from a neighbouring country.
Pahang police chief Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman confirmed that "Gang Heri" had been neutralised with the arrest of the five suspects.
"We managed to track down these criminals through hard work and dedication by our officers. We are still searching for a sixth suspect, identified as Mohamad Faizal Supardi, also known as 'Peja'," he told reporters during a press conference at the Bentong police headquarters here today.
He said the investigation into the gang intensified after the Oct 29 robbery, when the suspects targeted a Bangladeshi national at a grocery store in Bukit Tinggi at 1.45am.
"The robbers, posing as police officers, handcuffed the victim and made off with RM8,000 in cash and RM1,500 worth of valuables.
"They entered the premises pretending to be law enforcement officers, and before the victim knew it, he was handcuffed and his money stolen," he said.
Following the victim's report, police tracked down the suspects, arresting them across various locations in Gombak and Selayang between Dec 8 and 15.
"The arrests were made based on intelligence and coordinated efforts with various police units. We have dismantled this gang, but the search continues for the remaining suspect," he added.
Yahaya said policemen seized several weapons including pistols, bullets, ball bearings, a sickle-shaped knife along with a Yamaha 135 LC motorcycle from the suspects.
He said four of the suspects tested positive for amphetamine, and all five have been remanded till Dec 20.
The suspects face multiple charges under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code for gang and armed robbery, Section 170 for impersonating a civil servant, Section 8 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for unlawful firearm possession, and Section 6(1) of the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958 for carrying a sickle-shaped knife.