The police detained five members of the ''Susu Kangkang Gang'' last Wednesday in connection with 30 cases of shoplifting involving branded milk powder at several convenience stores.

The suspects comprising two men and three women were picked up at 6.55pm when they attempted to shoplift branded milk powder at a convenience store in Dataran Sunway.

Initial police investigations revealed the suspects aged between 25 and 49 were involved in shoplifting branded milk powder in Petaling Jaya and Lembah Klang, including Kota Damansara.

Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Mohd Zani Che Din said the modus operandi of the gang of thieves was to conceal branded milk powder boxes or cans inside specially altered clothes or bags before escaping.

The loot was meant to be sold at shops located at areas where there were 'kongsi' houses accommodating foreign construction workers, he told a press conference here Friday.

He said the milk powder were to be sold at shops in 'kongsi' house area or certain retail shops.

He added the arrests followed a report on a robbery on May 20 allegedly committed by the gang at a supermarket in Petaling Jaya here which left a security guard injured.

Mohd Zani said investigations revealed the suspects were released from prison last year due to similar shoplifting cases involving branded milk powder.

He said the suspects were remanded for a week to facilitate investigations.

-- BERNAMA