Wednesday January 9, 2013

Helicopter joins massive hunt for detainees

BUTTERWORTH: A massive manhunt has been launched to locate the seven detainees who made a daring getaway while being transported to court in a van here.

About 250 policemen and a helicopter from the air wing unit are combing an area within 1km radius in Kampung Padang Chempedak here, where the van was last recovered.

They were assisted by a dog unit, said Penang police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Abdul Rahim Hanafi.

“The search is being carried out on a 24-hour basis. The fugitives were last seen wearing ordinary clothing,” he said yesterday after launching a motorcycle patrol unit at SRJK Li Tek A, B and branch in Lebuh Macallum.

He added that a special task force for the search was set up by his deputy Senior Asst Comm Datuk Abdul Rahim Jaafar.

DCP Abdul Rahim warned the public not to harbour the fugitives.

“Those who do will be charged in court. The escapees are dangerous criminals who have been charged with serious offences, including murder, gang robbery and causing grievous hurt.

“Alert the police if you have any information on their whereabouts. We believe the fugitives are still in the state,” he said, adding that those who might have seen suspicious men in their area should call the nearest police station or 04-269-1999.

Central Seberang Prai OCPD Asst Comm Azman Abd Lah said the four policemen who were hurt when the detainees assaulted them in the van during the escape have been given medical leave.

The policemen were Kpl Sharifuddin Ali, L/Kpl S. Mahendren, Kons Mohd Nazzwan Mohd Din and Kons Azizan.

ACP Azman also received several baskets of flowers and fruit to be presented to the policemen from Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng yesterday.

Lim said the state government would intensify the installation of CCTV cameras in crime-prone areas in Penang.

News

Wednesday January 9, 2013

Helicopter joins massive hunt for detainees