BATU GAJAH: Police are on the hunt for a robbery gang that targets taxi drivers, Batu Gajah OCPD Asst Comm Najib Mohamad said.

ACP Najib said the group's modus operandi was to have unsuspecting taxi drivers drive them from shopping centres to a location before robbing them halfway at secluded spots.

"There have been about seven cases here and in Ipoh," he told reporters during a press conference yesterday.

He said the latest case, which happened on Feb 2, saw a taxi driver being tied up with metal chains and dumped near a former tin mining pool in Papan.

The driver was robbed of his vehicle and RM700 (S$290). He had picked up a "passenger" at Tesco in Ipoh at 9.45pm.

"When they reached a secluded place near Papan, the "passenger" asked the driver to stop by the roadside where several others were waiting," ACP Najib said. The taxi was found burnt on Wednesday.

"According to the driver, the men acted brazenly, suggesting they were high on drugs," he added.

ACP Najib also said police are looking for Gurdev Singh B. Latchumanan, 34, to assist in investigation.

His last known address is in Sri Pengkalan, Pusing.

ACP Najib noted that Gurdev Singh has a previous record for house breaking. He urged those who have information on the whereabouts of Gurdev Singh to call Insp Shamsiah Noor Zakaria at 05-366 4322.