GEORGE TOWN: A spate of 18 vehicle theft cases spanning three states has been solved with the arrest of nine suspects who are mostly mechanics.

       Penang deputy police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Fisol Salleh said the suspects are aged between 31 to 40 and were arrested following raids conducted over a week.

       "A police patrol intercepted two locals at KM11.8 of the Butterworth-Kulim Expressway (BKE) near Kubang Semang exit on April 2. A stolen lorry was also seized,” said DCP Fisol.

       He added that the police arrested five more suspects in Kuala Muda, Kedah on April 7 and two more suspects in Baling, Kedah the following day.

       DCP Fisol also said that with the arrest of nine suspects in Kedah, the police found that their modus operandi was to steal old vehicles using 'master keys'.

       "The stolen vehicles were then handed over to members of the group who are mechanics to be cut up and have their chassis numbers removed," DCP Fisol told a press conference at the state contingent police headquarters on Monday (April 11).

       Fisol said checks on the suspects found all of them had criminal records ranging from two to 12 offences each, while four tested positive for methamphetamine.

       "We seized a total of three lorries, three cars, five motorcycles and a car engine that was reported missing, as well as mobile phones, the keys to several vehicles, two fake pistols and a set of handcuffs.

       "We believe we have solved 18 vehicle theft cases, 13 of which were reported in Penang and five in Kedah and Perak, with the arrests and seizures," he added.

       The case is being investigated under Section 379A(1) of the Penal Code for vehicle theft.