KUALA LUMPUR: A 46-year-old man has been detained for a spate of vehicle thefts in the city.

       Police also seized eight vehicles, including four Proton Iswara, two Proton Saga and a van believed to have been stolen by the suspect.

       Cheras OCPD Asst Comm Muhammad Idzam Jaafar said police detained the suspect at Flat Sri Sabah at about 3pm on June 5.

       "We seized eight vehicles stolen by the suspect.

       "We believe he was active in stealing vehicles in Cheras, Pudu, Sri Petaling and Teluk Intan, Perak," he told a press conference at the Cheras police headquarters on Tuesday (June 7).

       The suspect targeted old cars such as Proton Iswara due to its locking system, he said.

       "We believe the suspect used a master key to unlock such cars.

       "The suspect used the stolen vehicles as well as stripped it for parts to be sold," he added.

       The suspect has been remanded until June 9, he said.

       "He has been active for six months since he was released from prison for a vehicle theft offence.

       "He has a criminal record for several prior vehicle thefts and drug-related offences," ACP Idzam said.

       Between Jan 1 and May 31, a total of 167 vehicles were stolen in Cheras, he added.

       "The majority of the stolen vehicles were cars.

       "We also detained 20 suspects," he said.

       ACP Idzam advised those who parked their vehicles outside of the apartment or condominium areas to install extra locks to prevent their vehicles from being stolen.

       "Those with information on any criminal activities are urged to contact the nearest police station," he said.