GEORGE TOWN: A gang of thieves, which amassed close to RM30 million (S$12.88 million) from breaking into banks and homes over the last two years, has been crippled with the arrests of two of its members on Wednesday.

Police seized seven fake weapons, including six pistols and a sub-machine gun. But what surprised the authorities more was the discovery of a wide array of sophisticated tools which the gang had used for its break-ins.

Also found were the floor plans and layout of most of the Ar Rahnu bank branches nationwide, which were the gang's next targets.

Police disclosed yesterday that the RM30 million amassed by the gang was simply a conservative figure. They believed the gang could have amassed much more.

The gang is believed to be the one which robbed a bank in Kelantan last year, and escaped with RM16 million. The gang is also believed to have robbed a bank in Johor, where RM7 million was reportedly taken.

State deputy police chief Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said an initial investigation revealed that the gang had struck banks and houses in Kelantan, Johor and Perak in the last two years.

"We are still collecting more information on this group."

He said the tools used by the gang included sophisticated welding equipment that could melt steel padlocks and equipment that was capable of penetrating bank vaults and reinforced concrete.

All these tools were found in a three-storey luxury semi-detached house in Lebuh Sungai Pinang here on Wednesday night.

Penang deputy police chief Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah (seated, centre) showing the break-in equipment at a press conference.

"This is a big break for the police. We have thwarted their attempt to break into a bank here after finding their comprehensive layout plans stored in a laptop," Tun Hisan told a press conference.

He said police raided the three-storey house on a tip-off.

The two suspects, aged 37 and 45, were nabbed as they were leaving the house in two separate cars. Police seized a BMW and a Naza Citra which were fitted with false registration plates.

The 37-year-old suspect, a building contractor from Ulu Tiram, has several convictions, including for robbery.

The 45-year-old suspect, a convicted drug addict, is a wireman from Bandar Baru Air Itam.

In follow-up operations, police raided the 37-year-old suspect's house in Harmony View at Lintang Slim, Jelutong, and his accomplice's apartment in Bandar Baru Air Itam.

"We found the fake firearms and the banks' layouts at these places.

"We also confiscated a Toyota Estima without its middle and rear seats, believed to be used to cart the break-in equipment," said Tun Hisan.

Police have not ruled out the possibility that the duo have accomplices who are at large.