High-tech, but homes burgled

07/02/2004 The Star By NELSON BENJAMIN

DESPITE living in an exclusive neighbourhood with high-tech security like barbed wire fencing, close-circuit cameras and motion sensors around the perimeter wall, four bungalows in Sierra Mas, Kepong were burgled within three hours. Four other houses had signs of attempted break-ins.  

The burglars apparently scaled the house walls and entered the premises through the toilet windows before escaping with valuables. 

The thieves even felt for the valuables in the dark as the occupants slept during the pre-dawn burglary last week.  

A resident, known only as Kate, said she and her husband were asleep in the master bedroom when she heard sounds in her toilet.  

“When I went to check, I saw a man jump out the window,” she said, adding that the man disappeared into the darkness. 

Kate said she was worried for the safety of her five-month-old child as the burglar dared to enter a house with five occupants asleep inside.  

Another affected resident, known only as Miss Lee, said the burglars escaped with two mobile phones.  

“We did not notice anything amiss until we saw footprints on my sofa set and staircase the next morning,” she said, adding that a police report was lodged but response was slow.  

“It has been several days and so far nobody has come to the house to take photographs or even dust for fingerprints,” she said.  

Residence committee for security head Kol K.C. Lau said the burglars knew the area well as the crimes were committed between 2.30am and 5.30am. 

“We believe that this is the work of construction workers who live around Sierra Mas,” he said, adding that the kongsi, housing about 40 to 50 foreign workers, was built three weeks ago. 

Kol Lau, who is with the army and has lived in Sierra Mas for several years, said the residents had asked the developer to remove the kongsi, but so far there was no response.  

“The workers know Sierra Mas well as they cut grass and carry out landscaping work in the area,” he said, adding that the houses burgled were near the kongsi.  

An official from a company, engaged to patrol the neighbourhood, said the firm had intensified security, especially around the perimeter fencing close to the kongsi. 

He said two Indonesians were caught after they set off alarms while trespassing a house.  

Sierra Mas is home to about 250 people that include Cabinet Ministers, top government officers and business tycoons.  

Each house is worth more than RM1mil.  

Gombak OCPD Asst Comm Mohd Azmir Mohd Nadzri confirmed reports had been lodged by the residents and said police were investigating the burglaries.  

“I assure the public that we have been conducting operations to weed out illegals in the area,'' he said, adding that those with information should contact him at 03-6138 5222.