They were arrested by police last Friday in Butterworth in a raid about 10.30pm.

Police recovered six cell-phones and RM3,428, believed to be proceeds from the hold-ups.

The gang had been active committing robberies in the Seberang Perai Tengah area since early this year. They were also believed to have operated in other states.

District police chief ACP Nik Ros Azhan Nik Abdul Hamid said the gang had last raided an entertainment centre and convenience store in Bagan Ajam on Thursday.

“They were leading a cushy life and moved about in several states by carrying out robberies while armed with parang to threaten their victims.”

He said the two men had previous criminal records. All three, aged 23 to 44, tested positive for drugs.

On a separate matter, Timur Laut police chief ACP Anuar Omar said police were looking for five people, aged between 18 and 25, in connection with the assault of two teenagers in Jalan Kaki Bukit here early yesterday.

The victims, aged 18 and 19, were buying burgers about 2.10am when eight men attacked them with helmets.

One of the victims was warded at the Penang Hospital where his condition was reported to be critical.

Anuar said police had detained an 18-year-old suspect and were in the midst of tracking down seven others, five of whom had been identified.