PETALING JAYA, June 10 — The “susu kangkang” gang known for stealing baby milk formula from supermarkets and hypermarkets is back at it again — soon after their release from prison for similar crimes.

The female members of the gang gained notoriety for mastering the skill of carrying tins of milk formula between their thighs under loose outfits. The male members always acted as lookouts or getaway drivers.

Their skill earned them the tag “susu kangkang” and were busted by police last year. They ended up in prison but were freed this year. They resumed their stealing ways again last month.

The return of the gang first came to light when one of them was involved in a tussle with a security guard at Paradigm Mall in Kelana Jaya on May 20.

The suspect was spotted behaving suspiciously at the mall hypermarket, but managed to flee when confronted by a  guard. The guard however reported the incident to police.

Petaling Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Zani Che Din said acting on the report police began to track down the gang who were identified as two couples, aged between 25 and 49.

“While the women entered the shop to steal, the men acted as lookouts.

“When security guards try to apprehend the women, the male accomplices would confront the guards,” said Mohd Zani.

On Wednesday, police learnt the gang was at the Speedmart convienience store in Dataran Sunway.

A police party went to the scene and detained one of the suspects stealing baby milk powder.

Mohd Zani said the other suspect escaped.

In follow up operations, the remaining gang members were arrested and police recovered 21 milk tins and 17 boxes of baby formulas worth RM6,000. They also seized a white Perodua Alza.

Police checks confirmed the gang members were back to their antics as all four were involved in similar thefts previously.

“These were branded, imported milk tins. The loot was sold to small sundry shops or in squatter areas at below retail price,” Mohd Zani said.

“If the retail price is RM70, they are sold to unsuspecting buyers for RM50.”

Meanwhile, police believe they can solve 25 snatch theft cases reported in the district with the arrests of eight suspects, aged 16 to 23, over the last two weeks.

The eight are from three groups and police believe they have been active for the last six months.