Shah Alam district police chief ACP Shafien Mamat said the suspects, aged 25 to 32, were arrested in four raids around Taman Seri Muda, here, Monday.

“The police seized two motorcycles and a car believed to be used by the suspects to commit the crimes.

“Tools allegedly used to steal the money from the donation boxes, such as screwdrivers and wire hangers, were also seized,” he said in a statement here today.

He said the group was believed to have been active over the past two months.

Shafien said the arrests were made after a 25-year-old man believed to be a member of the group was caught red-handed by several committee members of Masjid Munawwarah in Section 27 here about 4.30am on Dec 30.

He said the group used wire hangers with glue placed on the tip to fish out money from the donation boxes.

“All the suspects also tested positive for drugs in urine tests,” he said.

He said the suspects were remanded for four days until Saturday to facilitate investigations under Section 380 of the Penal Code.