Two ex-convicts back behind bars over 11 crimes in Iskandar Puteri

ISKANDAR PUTERI: Two former convicts who were released from prison three years ago were arrested again, this time over 11 crimes, including house and shop break-ins, a robbery at a construction site and parcel theft.

The suspects, aged 26 and 27, were arrested separately in Tanjung Kupang and Kangkar Pulai on Sept 5, following a police report on a house break-in at Forest City Starview, Gelang Patah, a day earlier.

District acting police chief Superintendent Saifullah Jaya @ Yahaya said both men were released from Pokok Sena prison in Kedah in 2023 after serving time for criminal and drug offences.

"They came to Johor early this year to work in a factory but lost their jobs in March. They then turned to crime in this district," he told a press conference today.

He said investigations found the duo operated mainly in the wee hours of the morning, targeting unoccupied houses and stealing parcels.

He said the suspects also allegedly robbed a data centre construction site in Gelang Patah on July 28, tying up a security guard before making off with copper worth RM50,000.

"The stolen goods, worth about RM75,000 in total, were sold, with the ill-gotten proceeds used for their own needs," he said.

Police seized a laptop and bag, three cameras, four mobile phones, pawnshop receipts, gold chains with pendants, earrings, a Proton Waja and two receipts for the sale of copper.

Saifullah said the 26-year-old, believed to be the mastermind, had 11 previous criminal records, while his accomplice had 31.

Both suspects also tested positive for methamphetamine.

With their arrests, police believed four house break-ins, a shop break-in, a robbery at a project storage site, a house trespassing case and four parcel theft cases had been solved.

Both suspects were remanded until Friday to assist investigations into theft, housebreaking by night, gang robbery and robbery involving attempts to cause death or grievous hurt under Sections 379, 457, 395 and 397 of the Penal Code.