Seized items: Hamzah (second from right) and other police officers showing pistols and other items used by the suspects at the Penang Contingent Police Headquarters in George Town.
GEORGE TOWN: They were suspected of stealing at least 33 vehicles, mostly 4x4 vehicles, since early this year and smuggling them abroad.
But it was the end of the road for three car thieves after they got into a gunfight with policemen early yesterday, resulting in their deaths.
Penang police chief Comm Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said in a crime prevention ops by George Town and South Seberang Perai District Criminal Investigation Departments, the three men were spotted behaving suspiciously at 5.30am yesterday along Jalan Changkat in Pulau Burung, Nibong Tebal.
“They were in two vehicles parked by the roadside.
“Policemen approached the vehicles and identified themselves.
“Then, the suspects suddenly opened fire,” said Comm Hamzah.
Police returned fire and the trio were killed in the gunfight.
Comm Hamzah said in a press conference yesterday that the three local men were aged between 30 and 42.
They had multiple weapons including a semi-automatic pistol and a revolver, ammunition, two machetes, cutters, a screwdriver plus various electronic gadgets believed to be for disabling car alarm and anti-theft systems.
The 42-year-old man was believed to be the mastermind and had 35 previous criminal offences and eight drug-related offences.
Another suspect had six previous drug-related offences. The third suspect had no record.
“They are believed to have been stealing cars with the purpose of sending them to neighbouring countries.
“We believed they were operating mostly in Penang.
“We have managed to solve 33 cases of car thefts and robberies from this incident amounting to RM4mil,” said Comm Hamzah.
The Star reported on Monday that vehicle thefts had increased, with more sports utility vehicles (SUVs) and pickup trucks being stolen due to rising black market demand.
Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said their investigations revealed that vehicle theft syndicates were targeting 4x4 and SUVs as they fetched higher prices in the black market.
