Swordsmen robbers held at budget hotel

KUALA LUMPUR: Police have busted a sword-wielding robbery gang that has been targeting budget hotels and cyber cafes in Sentul here.

City CID chief Senior Asst Comm Datuk Ku Chin Wah said three suspects aged 33 to 42 were arrested at a budget hotel in Jalan Ipoh at 8am on Monday.

Police are still looking for two more suspects said to be involved in at least six robberies in Kuala Lumpur.

“So far, the suspects have admitted to at least six cases. We believe they were planning another robbery when they were arrested,” he said at the city police headquarters in Jalan Hang Tuah here yesterday

SAC Ku said police seized a stolen car, a Taser, a Rambo knife, several swords, nine handphones, four hats – with one bearing a police logo – several walkie-talkies and other tools used in the robberies and break-ins.

SAC Ku said the suspects, who have been remanded until Saturday, had criminal records.

Meanwhile, a 24-year-old soldier who had been detained for 21 days committed suicide at an army camp in Jalan Padang Tembak.

The Defence Ministry Corporate Com­munications Unit confirmed the soldier was found dead at 5.45am yesterday at the Kementah Camp.

It said the Armed Forces had handed the case over to police for further investigation.

SAC Ku confirmed the man, believed to have hanged himself, was found dead by police inside his lock-up cell after they were alerted at 7am on Wednesday.