ALOR SETAR: A policeman died after being run over by suspects fleeing the scene of a burglary at a house in Taman Golf near here.
All the suspects have been arrested, police said.
Kedah police chief Comm Adzli Abu Shah said Kpl Mohd Hafizul Izham Mazlan, 35, died at the scene after he was struck by a sports utility vehicle (SUV) with the suspects on board.
"At 3.30pm on Thursday (Aug 7), we received a tip-off about a suspected house burglary.
"A team of five officers and personnel from the Kedah police contingent’s Criminal Investigation Department (CID) went to the location in two vehicles.
"Upon arrival, the victim, who had just stepped out of his car, was rammed by the suspects, who were fleeing.
"He sustained severe head and body injuries and died at the scene,” he told reporters when met at the scene late Thursday.
A suspect was arrested at the scene, he said, while three others fled in the SUV but were later caught in Kepala Batas near here after they hijacked a couple's vehicle at a hotel.
"They forcibly removed the driver and drove off with his wife still in the front passenger seat.
"The vehicle was later involved in an accident in Kepala Batas, where we successfully apprehended all remaining suspects in the surrounding area,” he said.
The suspects, aged 24 to 26, are being investigated under Section 302 of the Penal Code for murder, and Section 457 for housebreaking.
The suspected ringleader, 26, has 77 priors on his criminal record involving burglary, car theft and drug offences.
The other three suspects also have criminal records, Comm Adzli said.
"We will apply for a remand order tomorrow (Friday, Aug 8) and continue our investigations,” he added.
The body of Kpl Hafizul, a 15-year veteran from Setiu, Terengganu, was taken for post-mortem to Hospital Sultanah Bahiyah here.
He is survived by a wife and three sons, aged four, nine and 11. – Bernama
