Malaysian among five arrested after two-hour car chase in Simpang Pulai

IPOH: A 29-year-old Malaysian man and four Myanmar nationals were arrested by the police after a dramatic two-hour car chase which ended near Simpang Pulai here.  

The chase began from Jalan Pengkalan Pegoh here, passing through Batu Gajah, Seri Iskandar and the North-South Expressway near Gopeng before ending up near the Keramat Pulai Industrial Area in Simpang Pulai at about 7.30am on Monday (Sept 3). 

During the chase, the four-wheel-drive vehicle (4WD), driven by the 29-year-old local man, smashed into several cars and also crashed through the tollgate at the Simpang Pulai interchange.

Ipoh Deputy OCPD Supt Abdul Rani Alias said police fired two shots at the 4WD's back tyres to stop the vehicle.

"The driver was acting suspiciously and did not stop his vehicle when instructed to prior to the chase.

"He was also driving dangerously during the chase and the police patrol car trailing it had to call for back up," he said.

"After failing to stop the vehicle despite being warned, a policeman shot at the car's tyres," he added.

Supt Abdul Rani said the 4WD then lost control and crashed into a ditch.

All five men tried to escape on foot but were stopped by the police.

"They refused to cooperate and acted aggressively but were eventually subdued by police after a short scuffle," he said.

The men sustained cuts and bruises on their bodies following the scuffle.

Supt Abdul Rani said the man has two previous criminal records under Section 354 and Section 379 of the Penal Code for outrage of modesty and theft respectively.

"The four Myanmar nationals did not have any legal documentation while the vehicle had a fake registration number plate."

The case is being investigated under Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing public duty and Section 55E and Section 6(1)(c) of the Immigration Act.