Tangkak: A repeat housebreaker with 39 prior convictions has been arrested for allegedly resuming his criminal activities in and around Tangkak. Tangkak police chief Supt Roslan Mohd Talib said the 60-year-old suspect, who is believed to have targeted unoccupied luxury homes, was detained at 3.10 pm yesterday in an apartment in Taman Kesidang, Melaka.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, intelligence gathering and tip-offs led to the raid and subsequent arrest, during which police recovered various luxury items, including 19 designer handbags and watches. “Also seized were cash in multiple currencies, including Malaysian Ringgit, Singapore Dollar, US Dollar and Chinese Yuan, as well as tools believed to have been used in the burglaries, such as screwdrivers, gloves and flashlights,” said the police chief.

Police also confiscated a Hyundai Getz car suspected of having been used in the commission of the crimes. The seized items are estimated at RM300,000. The arrest has reportedly helped police solve eight housebreaking cases reported since March in Bukit Gambir, Sungai Mati, and Tangkak. The suspect tested negative for drugs and the case is being investigated under Section 457 of the Penal Code.