By Zaki Salleh
IPOH: Three men believed to be attempting vehicle theft were arrested after a chase exceeding 10 kilometers, during which time police were compelled to fire their weapons.
The suspects, traveling in a Toyota Harrier SUV, attempted to evade arrest.
Perak Police Chief Datuk Azizi Mat Aris stated that officers from the Kampung Rapat Police Station were patrolling for crime prevention at 4 a.m. yesterday in Taman Soon Choon when they spotted a suspicious SUV.
He explained that the suspects were suspected of being involved in vehicle theft.
Three police officers approached the vehicle for inspection, but the suspects accelerated and refused to stop.
“The police, in a Toyota Corolla Altis, pursued them up to the Gopeng toll plaza exit (North-South Expressway), where the suspects acted aggressively by crashing into the toll barrier and reversing into the police car.
“Police fired a single shot; however, the suspects sped towards Gopeng and Batu Gajah, driving recklessly and obstructing the police car,” he told reporter here.
The police then fired two shots at the suspects’ vehicle tires, successfully stopping the vehicle.
The three men, aged between 34 and 47, attempted to flee but were apprehended after a struggle.
All of them are currently in custody for investigation under Section 307 of the Penal Code, which pertains to attempted murder.
