PEKAN: A Honda EX5 motorcycle which was reported stolen in Muar, Johor some 14 years ago were among 22 bikes recovered during an operation dubbed Ops Lejang Mega at Felda Chini here.
The three-day operation, which ended today, resulted in the arrest of 17 individuals including four women aged between 20 and 70 years old, and recovery of 22 motorcycles of various types.
Pekan police chief Superintendent Mohd Zaidi Mat Zin said the operation, led by Assistant Superintendent Abdul Jalil Abdul Aziz, involved four officers and 37 policemen who were divided into three zones.
"The operation was aimed at curbing motorcycle theft at Felda Chini, and random checks were conducted at motorcycle workshops, kongsi houses, factories and housing settlements at Felda schemes here. Four motorcycles reported missing at Sungai Mati in Muar, Maran, Puchong and Petaling Jaya in Selangor were recovered. One of the bikes was reported stolen in 2010.
"Fifteen people were detained for carrying out modifications on the stolen motorcycles, one for possessing a stolen motorcycle and one over drug possession. Police have released the 15 individuals after recording their statements while the two individuals who were caught with a stolen motorcycle and drugs have been remanded for further investigations.
"Based on our investigations, the suspects who sold the stolen motorcycles to buyers here did not operate as a group or syndicate but moved alone. The buyers purchased the stolen machines as low as RM500 and some of the female suspects had purchased the machines to send and pick their children to school," he told reporters during a press conference at Chini police station here today.
Meanwhile, Zaidi said some of the suspects had modified the stolen motorcycles by tampering with the chassis and engine numbers to avoid being detected.
"The buyers claimed they bought the stolen motorcycles after they were introduced by friends who offered a bargain price. Some claimed they did not have knowledge that the bikes were stolen and we are still recording their statements," he said.
Zaidi said 15 suspects were probed under Section 29(1) of the Minor Offences Act 1955, one under Section 379A of the Penal Code for theft of a motor vehicle and one under Section 12(2) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.