Suspected burglar killed in shootout with cops in Sabah

KOTA KINABALU: A suspected burglar has been killed in a shootout with police at the KKIP industrial area near here early Tuesday.

The suspect, believed to be his 30s, was found dead with gunshot wounds to his head and chest at about 2am.

Sabah deputy police commissioner Datuk Razarudin Husain said prior to the incident, police on patrol near the 1Borneo hypermall area spotted the suspect on a motorcycle.

"Our team yelled 'police' and ordered the man to stop but he sped off," he said during a press conference here on Tuesday (Feb 13).

He said a five-minute chase ensued from the 1Borneo area up to KKIP some 6km away before the suspect crashed into a road divider.

Razarudin said after the suspect crashed, policemen heard gunshots and got down from their vehicle and took cover.

"They had to return fire and when the shots died down, they went to check on the suspect and found him laying face down," he said.

He said the policemen called for an ambulance and additional backup.

"The suspect was pronounced dead by medical officials who arrived later," he said, adding that no policemen were injured in the shootout.

Razarudin said a .38 pistol was found beside the suspect at the scene.

"Three out of five bullets inside the pistol were fired," he said, adding they also found tools used for break-ins in a bag.

He said they believe that the man was involved in burglaries in the area.

"No identification documents were found on him," Razarudin said.