Family of thieves nabbed

3 December 2013

KUALA LUMPUR (Dec 3, 2013): A thieving couple and their three teenage children, including a daughter who traveled to carnivals to steal jewellry from children, were nabbed in a police operation at Bukit Bintang on Saturday.

Targeting the young including babies, the couple from Sabah, the girl and her two brothers aged 16 and 17 are believed to be behind 31 cases of theft including gold chains, bracelets and earrings.

Cheras police chief ACP Mohan Singh Tara Singh told a press conference today that the suspects were also active during the Jom Heboh carnival held in Bukit Jalil on Saturday and were believed to be responsible for at least two cases of jewellery loss at the event.

He said the family had started their thieving ways early last year and are believed to be behind 31 reported cases of theft.

“The teenage suspects moved around discreetly and carried a small pair of scissors they had used to cut off gold chains worn by their victims, mainly children. We believe they are involved in many more cases that may not have been reported.

"We urged those who lost their jewellery to come and ascertain if theirs were among the items recovered from the suspects,” he said.

The 52-year-old man and his 41-year-old wife have six previous criminal records for theft between them.

Mohan Singh said on Saturday a police team from the Cheras CID tracked down the family and arrested the suspects opposite a five-star hotel in Jalan Bukit Bintang.

He said police recovered gold chains and bracelets hidden inside the father’s shoes and almost RM5,000 in a bag his wife was carrying. He said investigators also learnt that the couple had sold most of the loot.

“It is shocking to see parents getting their children involved in crime,” he said.