At the site: Investigators visiting the scene of the shootout along Jalan Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam. — Photo courtesy of Malaysia Gazette
BUTTERWORTH: A lone gunman out preying for victims in his car in Jalan Sungai Lembu, Bukit Mertajam, was killed in a shootout with the police after a short car chase.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Khaw Kok Chin said the 44-year-old suspect pulled out a gun after being flagged down at 12.35am yesterday.
“A police team was carrying out patrols when they came across a sports utility vehicle (SUV) which upon checking, had a fake number plate and used in two robbery cases in Butterworth recently.
“Our personnel asked the suspect to stop his vehicle for inspection.
“However, the suspect tried to escape and open fire at the police. In self-defence, our personnel returned fire,” he told a press conference yesterday.
Comm Khaw said the suspect sped off in the SUV before crashing in Jalan Sungai Lembu, about 200m away.
He said the gunman got out before drawing his weapon at the policemen who shot him in self-defence.
Comm Khaw said a semi-automatic pistol was found near the suspect.
“Initial investigations showed the suspect was wanted in two robbery cases involving a gaming outlet and a grocery store in Butterworth.
“Usually, he operated alone while committing armed robberies in Penang, Kuala Lumpur and Melaka,” he said, adding that the suspect would use a gun to threaten his victims.
Comm Khaw said the suspect, who is from Penang, had 16 past records involving robbery, drugs and possession of weapons, among others.
“He was a dangerous criminal and was often in and out of the Simpang Renggam prison,” he said.
