Shootout and car chase in Sungai Petani ends with two men arrested

MalayMailOnline

SUNGAI PETANI: Two men were detained after a shootout with police here early this morning.

In the 1.15am incident, two policemen in an MPV were patrolling behind a hotel in Taman Sejati when they spotted a Ford Ranger trying to ram into a black Mitsubishi Triton.

Kuala Muda district police chief Assistant Commissioner Md Zukir Md Isa said the men in the Ford Ranger, realising the presence of policemen, sped out of the area towards Taman Kempas, and ignored the cops' orders to stop the vehicle.

"The suspects sped off in the direction of Lencongan Timur, towards Seri Gedong/Taman Sejati. In the heavy downpour, our men managed to cut them off, and subsequently, both vehicles stopped at the road shoulder.

"The MPV patrollers got out of their vehicles and ordered the suspect out, but the suspects suddenly sped off towards the main road and drove towards one of the policemen.

"In self-defence, the MPV crew fired three shots using a HK-MP5 rifle towards the right front tyre of the Ford Ranger, after which the four-wheel drive skidded into a ditch to the left of the road.

"The four suspects, who had two backpacks on them, made their getaway. It was then the patrollers heard a shot being fired back from a dark area," he said here today.

The MPV crew then gave chase and managed to apprehend two suspects in the Taman Palma housing area.

"One of the suspects had a small dagger on him.

"The two men, aged 22 and 37, have previous drug-related criminal records," he added.

Checks on the vehicle turned up a small axe, a stun gun, pepper spray, a mobile phone, and a Malaysian passport.

Bloodstains were also found on the floor mat of the driver's seat.

The case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder, and the Corrosive and Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 2014.