GEORGE TOWN, Nov 22 — A mother-of-four claiming to owe loan sharks thousands was arrested by the police yesterday on suspicion of having committed at least 20 thefts at a mosque and prayer hall here.

Northeast District police chief Assistant Commissioner Anuar Omar said the 38-year-old single mother was first detained by a Universiti Sains Malaysia security guard at about 6pm at an ATM machine near USM’s Masjid Al Malik Khalid.

"Our initial investigations revealed that she has been stealing from those who were performing prayers at the USM mosque and the Penang Hospital surau since January this year,” he said in a press conference today.

He estimated the suspect could have stolen up to RM30,000 in cash, handphones and other valuable items in the spree.

"We have seized her handbag, a handphone and several pawn shop receipts in the arrest,” he said.

The suspect, who is also believed to be an Uber driver, had entered the mosque and surau on the pretext of performing prayers before she allegedly stole from others who were in prayer.

Anuar said the suspect claimed of financial problems from RM5,000 that she borrowed from loan sharks, which she said has ballooned to RM10,000 due to interest.

The suspect has four previous convictions for drug-related offences and theft.

He confirmed that she tested positive for ketamine and was remanded until November 24 to assist in investigations under Section 380 of the Penal Code for theft.

On a separate matter, Anuar said a senior citizen was arrested early this morning over four motorcycle theft cases in Jelutong.

He said a police team raided a house at Jalan Kota Giam in Jelutong at about 3am today and found four stolen motorcycles hidden in the kitchen of the house.

A 61-year-old suspect, who lived in the house alone, was arrested.

He said the suspect admitted stealing motorcycles in the area by pushing the machines back to his house, where he hid them in the kitchen.

"The suspect has 11 previous records for drugs related offences and other crimes,” he said.