Penang police have crippled a luxury vehicle theft syndicate with the arrest of seven people and seizure of 12 vehicles worth over RM1 million in Penang and Kedah.

Penang police chief Abdul Rahim Hanafi said the success followed a special operation and the arrest of a man on Aug 19 in Kubang Semang, Bukit Mertajam.

The man, aged 27, believed to be the syndicate mastermind was arrested with a Toyota Estima believed to have been stolen in Queensbay on Penang Island.

Police then arrested four men and two women in several raids and seized 11 luxury cars and a motorcycle in Penang and Kedah," Rahim told a press conference today.

The vehicles seized include five Mercedes Benz, two Proton Perdana, one Toyota Velfire, Vios, Estima, Nissan Skyline and one KTM Duke 200cc motorcycle.

Police investigations showed that the syndicate has been active since last year and had stolen more than 20 luxury vehicles in Penang, Kedah, Selangor, Perak, Kuala Lumpur and Kelantan.

Registration plates, keys seized

Rahim said among other items seized were various vehicle registration plates, car titles and an assortment of keys.

"The syndicate's modus operandi is to break into the vehicle using a pin before turning off the computer system and starting the ignition with a special tool bought at RM1,000 in just one to two minutes."

"They will then change the registration, chassis and the engine number and register with the Road Transport Department using titles that had been disposed.

"The syndicate will then sell the vehicles to local buyers at between RM8,000 to RM50,000 according to type."

Rahim said the three arrested were members of the vehicle theft syndicate while the rest were the buyers.

They were remanded under the Penal Code and Minor Offences Act. Police are looking for two men who acted as middlemen in the sale of the vehicles.

They are Juhari Padzin, 45, of Kampung Kuala Pegang, Kupang, Kedah, and Mohd

Sobri Mat Nayan, 29, of Kampung Paya Terendam, Sik, Kedah.

Those with information on the duo can contact the nearest police station.

- Bernama