Robber killed in shootout had 21 previous convictions

IPOH: One of the three robbers killed in a shootout with police in Kampung Simee on Tuesday had 21 previous convictions.

Perak police chief Senior Deputy Comm Datuk Osman Salleh said the 24-year-old suspect had previously been convicted of abduction, attempted murder, robbery and causing grievous hurt.

However, police have yet to establish the identities of the other two suspects killed in the 3.45pm incident.

SDCP Osman said yesterday that an Ops Cantas police team from Perak and Bukit Aman had earlier spotted the trio’s vehicle in Bercham and trailed them to Kampung Simee.

“Suspecting something was amiss, our men ordered the suspects to stop their car but they sped off and headed towards Jalan Sultan Azlan Shah Utara,” he said.

SDCP Osman said a chase ensued and the suspects tried to force the police off the road by repeatedly ramming their vehicle into the unmarked police car.

“One of the suspects opened fire at the police when their car subsequently overturned,” he said, adding that all three suspects were shot dead in the ensuing gunfight.

He said police retrieved a Smith & Wesson revolver with three bullets, a Sport Arms Miami semi-automatic pistol with three bullets, three parang, three ski masks, two pairs of gloves and five mobile phones from the scene.

“We believe this is a three-member gang, which was responsible for numerous robbery and attempted murder cases in the state.