Alphard's Gang

MALACCA: They were smartly dressed and arrived in a Toyota Alphard luxury MPV but it was all a disguise.

Known as the Alphard Gang, its four members, all in their 40s, were robbers who had struck at two petrol stations in Simpang Ampat and Lubok Cina, in Alor Gajah on Wednesday night.

Alor Gajah police chief Superintendent Umar Ali Saifuddin Shaharuddin, said the Toyota Alphard that was used by the gang in both the robberies was reported stolen in Ampang, Selangor, on April 16.

"In the first incident at 8pm at the Lubok Cina petrol station, three of the gang members, all who were smartly dressed, walked into the station, pulled out a meat cleaver and kerambit (a traditional knife in the shape of a crescent), threatened a female employee and forced her to empty the cash register," he said.

"They escaped with the victim's valuables and RM4,000 which was the day's collection."
Less than two hours later, the gang struck at another petrol station in Simpang Ampat and using the same modus operandi, robbed the place of RM1,500.

"The robbers then sped off towards the Simpang Ampat toll plaza which connects to the North-South Expressway," he said.

It is understood that the gang targeted petrol stations in rural and isolated areas.

Umar Ali said the closed-circuit television cameras in both the petrol stations were not functioning but policehave a description of the robbers after questioning the victims.

"We have also sent out a nationwide alert on the vehicle and the suspects," he added