Police nab two ex-convicts in Johor over 11 cases involving housebreaking, robbery and theft

Iskandar Puteri acting police chief Superintendent Saifullah Jaya @ Yahaya (fourth, left) with items recovered from the two suspects at the district police headquarters in Iskandar Puteri today. — Picture by Ben Tan

First Published: Tuesday, 15 Sep 2026 1:31 PM MYT

ISKANDAR PUTERI, Sept 15 — Two ex-convicts who were released three years ago have been rearrested for their alleged involvement in 11 separate criminal cases, including housebreaking, robbery and theft, in the district recently.

Iskandar Puteri acting police chief Superintendent Saifullah Jaya @ Yahaya said the two male suspects, aged 26 and 27, were arrested in the Tanjung Kupang and Kangkar Pulai areas on Sept 5.

He said the arrests were made following a police report lodged on Sept 4 regarding a break-in at Forest City Starview in Gelang Patah.

“The two suspects, who hail from the northern states, were released from Pokok Sena Prison in Kedah back in 2023. They were previously incarcerated for criminal and drug-related offences.

“The suspects moved to Johor earlier this year to work in a factory, but were laid off in March and were later believed to be active in criminal activities,” he told reporters at the Iskandar Puteri district police headquarters here today.

Saifullah said initial investigations showed that the suspects were active during the early hours, targeting unoccupied homes and stealing postal parcels, including disposable diapers.

“The suspects were also believed to be responsible for a robbery at a data centre construction site in Gelang Patah on July 28, where they tied up the security guard before stealing copper cables worth RM50,000,” he said.

Following the arrests, Saifullah said investigators seized a laptop, three cameras, four mobile phones, copies of pawn tickets, copies of gold sale receipts and several other items.

In addition, he said police recovered two necklaces, five pairs of earrings, a Proton Waja, and two receipts for the sale of the copper.

“Investigators believe that the 26-year-old suspect, who had 11 prior criminal records, acted as the duo’s mastermind.

“His 27-year-old accomplice had 31 prior criminal records,” he said, adding that both men also tested positive for methamphetamine.

Investigations into the two suspects enabled police to solve several other cases involving housebreaking, breaking into a shophouse, a project site robbery, trespassing and postal parcel theft.

Both suspects have been remanded until Friday to assist with investigations under Sections 379, 457, 395 and 397 of the Penal Code.