State CID chief Mohd Sukri Kaman said the two were picked up separately in Bukit Serindit and Tehel after midnight.

He said police believed they have solved at least seven cases of donation box theft at mosques, suraus and temples, which took place between December last year and February this year, with the arrest of the duo aged 22 and 24.

“The gang’s modus operandi was to enter the houses of worship at night and prise the donation boxes open to take the money. Following the arrest, we also seized a car, a motorcycle and various tools believed to have been used in the criminal activities,” he said in a statement here today.

Sukri said the suspects have been remanded until Friday and the case was being investigated under Section 380 of the Penal Code.

In the meantime, he said the police were also looking for one Noor Rahman Abd Rahim, 24, who they believe could help with investigations into the case.

He said those with information on the man could contact investigation officer Mohd Hanafi Md Zam at 019-3646812.