JOHOR BARU: Police have arrested 11 individuals who were involved in a house robbery syndicate dubbed 'Geng Topeng' during a raid in two locations in Johor.

Johor police chief Comm Datuk Kamarul Zaman Mamat said the raid was conducted at the R&R Toll Simpang Renggam (northbound) in Kluang and Impian Residence Senibong in Masai on July 13 between 4am and 5.30am.

"We arrested 10 locals, eight men and two women aged between 20 and 44. Investigations revealed that the group is involved in 15 housebreaking cases with losses amounting to RM680,500.

"We also believe that these groups are also involved in cases outside of Johor," he said during a press conference at the Johor Police Headquarters, here on Monday (July 24).

Comm Kamarul Zaman shared that the gang's modus operandi is to break into a house and tie their victims, hurting them before stealing all valuable items inside the house.

"A follow-up investigation then managed to lead the police to the arrest of another local man, age 43, in Machang, Kelantan, who is the mastermind behind the group.

"The man is in charge of buying all of the stolen gold and melting it into a gold bar to be sold again," he said, adding that the police are currently tracking down all of the gold that has been sold.

A background check revealed that seven of the suspects have 43 prior records involving crime and drugs, and two of them were wanted by the police, he added.

During the raid, the police also confiscated four parang, various jewellery, including tools used to break into a house, pawn receipts, mobile phones, and two vehicles.

All of the suspects were currently under remand from July 13 until July 27.

The case was being investigated under Section 395/397 of the Penal Code for armed robbery.