A man suspected of involvement in armed robbery, house break-ins, and self-service laundrette thefts in Penang, resulting in total losses estimated at RM500,000, was shot dead in a confrontation at Jalan Lintang Bukit Jambul, Bayan Lepas.
Penang Police Chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad stated that officers from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID), undertaking a crime prevention operation, spotted a suspicious BMW at approximately 4 am.
“The police approached the car and identified themselves, but the man driving the vehicle suddenly exited and opened fire on the police vehicle,” he said.
Hamzah explained, “In response, the police returned fire in self-defence, and upon further inspection, found that the 35-year-old local man had died at the scene.”
A search of the suspect’s vehicle revealed a FNP-45 pistol with three bullets, a metal rod, two wooden sticks, two machetes, 22.5 grammes of methamphetamine, a signal jammer, various housebreaking tools and clothing.
Further checks identified that the deceased had 19 previous criminal records, with 15 relating to narcotics offences.
His body has been transferred to the Forensics Department at Penang Hospital for further procedures.
Following the incident, police arrested seven men and a woman, aged between their 20s and 40s, believed to be connected to the suspect’s criminal activities, at various locations across Penang.
“Police believe that with these arrests, we have solved 25 cases of robbery, house break-ins, and self-service laundrette thefts that occurred in Penang, involving total losses of RM500,000,” said Hamzah.
He also noted that four of the eight detained individuals have prior criminal records. All have been remanded to assist police in their investigations. “An investigation paper has been opened under Section 307 of the Penal Code and Section 8 of the Firearms Act 1960. Further investigations are ongoing,” he said.
