A suspected serial burglar, operating alone and targeting shops with glass doors, has been arrested in connection with at least 30 break-ins across the capital.

KUALA LUMPUR: A suspected serial burglar, dubbed a ‘lone ranger’ by police, has been arrested for allegedly masterminding at least 30 shop break-ins across the city.

Wangsa Maju district police chief SAC Mohamad Lazim Ismail said the 44-year-old man was arrested last Thursday under ‘Op Cash Box’ following intelligence work that began in July last year.

The suspect is believed to have caused estimated losses totalling RM59,546 from his crime spree.

Mohamad Lazim revealed the man, who has 26 prior criminal records, was only released from prison in March 2025 for a similar offence before resuming his activities in July the same year.

His modus operandi involved targeting premises with glass doors late at night or in the early morning to avoid public detection.

“He would attempt to shake the glass doors of premises and, if unsuccessful, use a stone to smash them before fleeing with the cash box from the shop,” said Mohamad Lazim at a press conference.

The suspect, described as homeless, frequently moved from place to place and was known to sleep in mosques to evade authorities.

Following the arrest, police seized two motorcycles reported stolen in Jinjang and Dang Wangi, along with 11 other items used in criminal activities.

One of the motorcycles was found hidden under a building staircase in Muar, Johor, believed to have been used for crimes outside Kuala Lumpur.

A breakdown of cases shows the suspect was most active in Wangsa Maju with 11 cases, followed by Dang Wangi (seven), Cheras (six), Sentul (four) and Brickfields (two).

The suspect has been remanded until April 2 to assist investigations under Section 457 of the Penal Code.

 The Sun Malaysia