BMW Driver With 34 Criminal Records Shot Dead By Police In Penang Shootout
The suspect was allegedly involved in multiple robbery cases across the state.
A 35-year-old man was shot dead by the police after a shootout in Bayan Lepas, Penang yesterday, 15 May
According to Harian Metro, Penang police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said a team from the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) was conducting a crime prevention operation when they encountered a suspicious-looking BMW car in Bukit Jambul around 4am.
When the police officers approached the vehicle, the suspect got out and fired several shots at them.
"The police also fired several shots in self-defence.
"Upon further inspection, they found that the 35-year-old local man had died at the scene," said the state police chief.
Hamzah said police officers discovered an FNP-45 pistol with three bullets, an iron rod, a steel bar, a rotan, a parang, and a 22.5g crystal lump suspected to be methamphetamine at the scene
"A piece of equipment believed to be a signal jammer, as well as clothes and tools, believed to be for housebreaking, were also found.
"The suspect had a record of 19 criminal and 15 narcotics convictions," he added.
Eight individuals were arrested after the shootout for their alleged involvement with the suspect in criminal activities, four of whom have prior criminal records.
Police believe that these arrests have helped solve 25 cases of robbery, house break-ins, and thefts from self-service laundromats in Penang, with total losses estimated at RM500,000.
The case will be investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder and Section 8 of the Firearms Act 1960 for the unlawful possession of firearms.