Shot suspect didn’t know he tailgated cops

State police chief Comm Datuk A. Thaiveegan speaking during a press conference at Komtar. Starpic by: CHIN CHENG YEANG/The Star/21 Feb 2018

NIBONG TEBAL: Despite being shot in the back and head, a man in a car chase with an unmarked police car survived.

Police detectives had to shoot him because he tried to ram them, said Penang police chief Comm Datuk A. Thaiveegan (pic).

“After the shooting, detectives found him to be stable and able to speak in the car. But he was drunk, with a strong smell of liquor on him,” he said.

Comm Thaiveegan said the detectives were initially trailing another car suspected of being used in a previous crime.

“But another car appeared from behind and tailgated the detectives up close.

“The detectives drove into a mosque and the other car followed, but when they realised they were tailgating policemen, the two men in that car tried to flee,” he said.

The detectives gave chase and finally blocked the fleeing car’s path, but the driver tried to ram them, forcing them to open fire.

Comm Thaiveegan said the injured suspect was being treated in Sungai Bakap Hospital.

He added that the two suspects had prior criminal records.

He said his men recovered 12 packets of substances and 19 pills believed to be a variety of drugs.

The case will be investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder and Section 39A(1), 12(2) and 6 of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.