Armed and dangerous: Police personnel showing the items seized from the men during the press conference at the South Seberang Perai district police headquarters in Penang. — ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Machete-armed duo said to be linked to 11 separate break-ins
NIBONG TEBAL: Police believe they have solved 11 break-in cases after two machete-armed Vietnamese burglars were shot dead in Jalan Bukit Panchor here.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said the cases took place in Penang (six) and Kedah (five), with losses amounting to RM317,700.
“We suspect there are still syndicate members at large, and we are working to identify them.
“This group of people would break into factories and offices, especially those which they believed would keep large amount of cash.
“They are highly skilled and conduct thorough reconnaissance before executing the break-ins.
“We are also investigating potential collusion with ‘insiders.’ We are in the process of identifying the possible leaders behind these operations,” he said in a press conference at the South Seberang Perai district police headquarters yesterday.
During the 3.20am incident yesterday, two Vietnamese men, aged 38 and 39, were shot dead after they attacked policemen with machetes.
Comm Hamzah said the policemen on patrol had earlier noticed a car parked along the road.
“Upon approaching the vehicle, the policemen saw two men exiting a nearby factory on foot.
“They instructed the men to stop, but instead, the burglars attacked the police with machetes.
“My men then fired four shots in self-defence,” he said, adding that the two suspects died at the scene.
Comm Hamzah said they found two machetes and an assortment of equipment used for break-ins on the two men, who were here on a tourist visa with valid passports.
“Investigation showed that these syndicate members had been involved in factory break-ins since 2017,” he said.
He said both suspects had a criminal record – one for six offences and the other for two.
“We are investigating the case under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.
“The bodies of the men are now at Hospital Seberang Jaya,” said Comm Hamzah.
