Gone in 30 seconds: Tech-savvy Johor car theft syndicates eye Toyota luxury models
Some Toyota car models confiscated by the police. PHOTO: POLIS JOHOR/FACEBOOK
Lok Jian Wen
UPDATED
JUL 26, 2024
Crime syndicates in Johor targeting luxury and 4x4 vehicles need just 30 seconds to make off with the cars, which are then smuggled and sold to neighbouring countries, said local police.
They use devices that can start a car’s ignition and jammers that turn off the vehicle’s alarms and Global Positioning System, said Johor police chief M. Kumar at a press briefing on July 25.
Many of these syndicates, which mainly steal cars, motorcycles and automobile spare parts, were crushed during a month-long operation from June 21 to July 21, in which numerous district police forces in Johor were involved, he said.
The police targeted car workshops, as well as automobile and spare parts sellers, among others, and arrested more than 110 men and women aged 16 to 59.
Some of those arrested were also wanted for drug offences, while around two dozen of them were found to have been involved in stealing luxury cars and motorcycles.
The thieves would operate in small groups of two or three people, using rental cars to roam estates, ungated residential communities and shopping centre car parks, said Mr Kumar.
Stolen cars would be transported to neighbouring countries by land, where a single vehicle could fetch up to RM40,000 (S$11,520) on the black market, he added, without naming specific countries.
Lok Jian Wen
UPDATED
JUL 26, 2024
Crime syndicates in Johor targeting luxury and 4x4 vehicles need just 30 seconds to make off with the cars, which are then smuggled and sold to neighbouring countries, said local police.
They use devices that can start a car’s ignition and jammers that turn off the vehicle’s alarms and Global Positioning System, said Johor police chief M. Kumar at a press briefing on July 25.
Many of these syndicates, which mainly steal cars, motorcycles and automobile spare parts, were crushed during a month-long operation from June 21 to July 21, in which numerous district police forces in Johor were involved, he said.
The police targeted car workshops, as well as automobile and spare parts sellers, among others, and arrested more than 110 men and women aged 16 to 59.
Some of those arrested were also wanted for drug offences, while around two dozen of them were found to have been involved in stealing luxury cars and motorcycles.
The thieves would operate in small groups of two or three people, using rental cars to roam estates, ungated residential communities and shopping centre car parks, said Mr Kumar.
Stolen cars would be transported to neighbouring countries by land, where a single vehicle could fetch up to RM40,000 (S$11,520) on the black market, he added, without naming specific countries.
Demand from these markets dictated which vehicles were targeted, Mr Kumar said.
He listed car models by Japanese carmaker Toyota, such as the Fortuner, Vellfire, Alphard and Hilux, as among those frequently targetted by the syndicates. Older vehicles were also in demand on the black market, as their spare parts might have become difficult to obtain, he added.
Sophisticated devices including key programmers and jammers used by the car theft syndicates. PHOTO: POLIS JOHOR/FACEBOOK
During the raids, the police confiscated more than 80 motor vehicles, including cars, a van, lorries and motorcycles, as well as bike frames and various car components. The motor vehicles are expected to be returned to their owners after investigations are completed.
Since January 2024, 69 luxury and four-wheel drive cars valued at a total of RM8.8 million (S$2.54 million) were reported lost in Johor, Mr Kumar said.
The Johor police chief urged motorists to ensure their cars were well-guarded by security systems.
During the raids, the police confiscated more than 80 motor vehicles, including cars, a van, lorries and motorcycles, as well as bike frames and various car components. The motor vehicles are expected to be returned to their owners after investigations are completed.
Since January 2024, 69 luxury and four-wheel drive cars valued at a total of RM8.8 million (S$2.54 million) were reported lost in Johor, Mr Kumar said.
The Johor police chief urged motorists to ensure their cars were well-guarded by security systems.
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