RAWANG, Jan 18 – Three suspected car thieves were shot dead in a dramatic gunfire exchange with police at Persiaran Emerald, Rawang, today. The suspects, believed to be involved in a string of robberies and vehicle thefts across multiple states, met their end following a high-stakes pursuit.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director, Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, revealed that the incident unfolded around noon. Police had attempted to intercept the suspects, who were traveling in a Toyota Vios with fake registration plates, but the men opened fire and attempted to flee.
“The chase lasted approximately 750 metres before police fatally shot all three suspects,” Mohd Shuhaily said during a press briefing at the scene.
Link to a String of Crimes
Preliminary investigations identified two of the suspects as Malaysian men, aged 40 and 43, while the third man remains unidentified due to the absence of identification documents. The group is suspected to be behind at least 17 theft cases recorded in Perak, Negeri Sembilan, Selangor, Melaka, and Penang this year, most involving four-wheel drive vehicles.
The suspects also had a history of robberies, employing a modus operandi where they rented vehicles, replaced the original plates with fake ones, and used the vehicles for criminal activities.
“Today, the suspects were in a rented vehicle with altered plates. We believe they were planning to carry out another crime,” Mohd Shuhaily added.
Weapons and Contraband Seized
A search of the vehicle uncovered a chilling arsenal, including two pistols, two machetes, a vehicle alarm jammer, five sets of fake registration plates, and a packet of methamphetamine.
Police continue to investigate the group’s network and activities, urging anyone with relevant information to come forward.
