Man disguises as food delivery rider to break into homes

ISKANDAR PUTERI - A man was arrested after allegedly disguising himself as a food delivery rider to break into unoccupied houses, here.

Iskandar Puteri district police chief Assistant Commissioner M. Kumarasan said the 49-year-old unemployed suspect was detained in Taman Austin Perdana, Johor Bahru last Thursday.

“Investigations found that the suspect has been actively committing crimes since the middle of this year and was operating alone.

“The suspect would monitor targeted areas while wearing food delivery attire to avoid suspicion before committing the crime,” he said.

Kumarasan said the suspect targeted empty houses and gained entry through side windows by prying open window grilles using tools he brought along.

Police seized various items, including vehicle remote controls, mobile phones, a house access card, a laptop, a dashboard camera, a wristwatch, face masks, clothing, a helmet and several bags.

He added that two pairs of gloves, three vehicle registration plates, a Yamaha Y16ZR motorcycle, a car, three video game consoles and house-breaking tools were also confiscated.

“Checks found that the suspect has past criminal and drug records and initial urine screening also found the suspect tested positive for methamphetamine,” he said.

Kumarasan said the arrest solved three cases of house break-ins and vehicle theft in the Bukit Indah area.

The suspect was remanded for six days from Wednesday under Section 117 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code for house trespass with intent to commit an offence and Section 379A of the Penal Code for vehicle theft.