KULAI: Johor police crippled an alleged abduct-and-rob syndicate's operation with the arrest of four suspects in three raids in Kulim, Kedah and Johor Baru, on Monday.
The men aged between 21 and 40, are believed to be behind the botched abduction attempt of a 47-year-old housewife in Taman Lagenda Putra, here, on May 5.
The victim sustained injuries when four men tried to drag her into a waiting car. However, the attempt was foiled when her husband came to her rescue after hearing her cries for help.
District police chief superintendent Tan Seng Lee said based on gathered intelligence, detectives from the Serious Crime Investigation Division (D9), stormed into the suspects hide-outs in three raids and the arrests were made following a six-hour operation.
Tan said during police interrogation, the suspects allegedly confessed to their crimes, spilling out their modus operandi including its planning and how the attempted robberies were planned to be executed.
They also revealed the details of the May 5 attempted abduction in Taman Lagenda Putra.
The suspects with previous criminal and drug-related police records, were also tested meth-positive.
Police also seized a Honda Civic believed to have been used as their getaway vehicle, along with mobile phones and a tablet.
Tan said investigations are underway to establish their involvement in other criminal cases in Kulai.
Police obtained a six-day remand order to keep them in custody.
The case is being investigated under Section 365/511 of the Penal Code for kidnapping and abduction, and Section 323 for voluntarily causing hurt.
They will also face charges under Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952 for substance abuse.