Seven Now Held Over RM28.4m Kota Tinggi Pawn Shop Heist

Police have arrested seven people over a Kota Tinggi pawn shop heist involving jewellery and cash put at RM28.4 million, with a 44-year-old former manager of the shop believed to be the mastermind, Johor police chief Datuk Ab Rahaman Arsad said on Tuesday (Nov 10).

Speaking to reporters at the Johor police contingent headquarters in Johor Bahru, Ab Rahaman said the five men and two women were picked up separately in Kota Tinggi and Johor Bahru on Nov 7 and Nov 8 to assist investigations, Malay Mail reported.

He said the suspects are all locals aged between 29 and 48.

How the Kota Tinggi pawn shop heist unfolded

According to the police chief, the break-in happened on Friday (Nov 6). A suspect allegedly entered the premises through the front entrance and left through the back at 11.42am.

Police seized 2,891 pieces of jewellery, RM27,371 in cash, two pawn receipts, two sets of keys, two sling bags and a mobile phone.

Ab Rahaman said most of the jewellery taken was fake or costume jewellery. He said it had been pawned by the suspect’s associates using the identities of people who do not exist, in order to fraudulently obtain the company’s money.

Motive linked to breach of trust case

Investigations so far suggest the motive was to destroy evidence of a criminal breach of trust case allegedly committed by the former manager, he said.

Background checks showed that one of the suspects has two previous criminal records. Initial urine tests on all the suspects came back negative for drugs.

The case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code for theft and Section 408 of the Penal Code for criminal breach of trust.

Suspects remanded as probe continues

Four of the suspects have been remanded for seven days from Nov 8 to Nov 14, while the other three are being held until Sunday (Nov 15) to assist the probe.

Police did not name any of the suspects. No charges have been reported so far, and investigations are continuing.

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