IPOH: Police have arrested three unemployed men following a 40km car chase from Taman Song Choon here to Siputeh, Batu Gajah.
Perak police chief Comm Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said the three men, in their 30s, had earlier tried to steal a car before speeding away, on Wednesday (July 31) at about 4am.
"A team of policemen was conducting an Ops Lejang operation when they found a suspicious-looking four-wheel drive (4WD) vehicle at Taman Song Choon.
"After observing the vehicle for about 10mins, three men alighted from it and tried to steal a luxurious vehicle," he said in a press conference after a dinner with members of the press here on Wednesday (July 31).
"Our policemen then moved in, which then sparked off the car chase.
"The suspects had sped towards the Simpang Pulai toll plaza and got onto the North-South Expressway," he said.
"At the Gopeng toll plaza, the suspects' 4WD vehicle crashed through the barrier, then reversed into the police car before speeding away," he added.
He said a policeman then fired a shot at the vehicle's back tyre in self-defence.
"The suspects then entered the wrong lane of the road and sped towards Batu Gajah.
"They also tried to force the police car off the road, and the policemen fired two shots, with one shot hitting the front tyre and another hitting the fender," he said.
"As the chase led to the flyover near Siputeh, the suspects' vehicle lost control and crashed," he added.
Comm Azizi said the suspects tried to escape on foot but were caught.
"They tried to resist arrest and scuffled with the policemen but were subdued," he said.
"The police found several equipment that were believed to be used while trying to steal cars.
"These included gadgets that can unlock doors and also tools for breaking windows," he added.
Comm Azizi said the suspects would be remanded for four days until Aug 3.
He said the matter would be investigated for various offences, including attempted murder.
"We are investigating if they are related to a syndicate that has been targeting 4WD vehicles nationwide.
"We hope we can resolve several of these cases in the state," he said.
