GEORGE TOWN: A 35-year-old man with an extensive criminal record was shot dead during a shootout with police early on Thursday (May 15) morning.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said the local man had 19 convictions and 15 drug offences on his record.
"The incident happened at around 4.15am on Thursday, when a police unit from the state Crime Investigation department was conducting an operation.
"The police personnel noticed a car across Bukit Jambul in Bayan Lepas and suspected something was amiss.
He said the officers approached the vehicle and introduced themselves as policemen.
"The suspect suddenly got out of the vehicle and fired several shots at the police car.
"The policemen then retaliated in self-defence.
"The suspect died at the scene of the incident," he said in a statement.
Comm Hamzah said, upon inspecting the suspect’s vehicle, officers found a pistol with three rounds in it.
"We also found an iron rod, a rattan rod, a cutter blade and transparent plastic packets containing a crystal-like substance believed to be methamphetamine weighing around 22.5g.
"There was a device that appeared to be a signal jammer, various types of clothing and other items believed to be used during burglaries," he said.
Hamzah said the shooting was being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder and Section 8 of the Firearms Act 1960 for possession or carrying a firearm and ammunition without a proper arms license or permit.
Hamzah added that several arrests linked to the deceased were made, including seven men and one woman, suspected of being involved in criminal activities.
"Of those arrested, four have criminal records.
"With these arrests, we have successfully solved 25 cases of burglaries, house break-ins and a burglary at a laundry service in Penang amounting to RM500,000 in losses and damages," he said.
