Four linked to 50 robberies killed

The Star, Friday, 27 May 2016

BY AUSTIN CAMOENS

KAJANG: Police shot dead four robbers who attempted to attack the with parang after they were cornered in a jungle near Sungai Sekamat here. Another suspect, believed to have been wounded, managed to escape.

The four were members of a gang believed to be responsible for over 50 robberies and police, acting on a report of an attempted break-in, managed to track them down early yesterday.

Selangor police chief Comm Datuk Abdul Samah Mat said they were alerted by an engineer who had called the police after finding someone trying to break in through a window at the Taman Saujana Impian premises at around 3.15am.

He said a special task force from the Selangor Serious Crimes Unit (D9) was sent to the scene and managed to catch up with the suspects trekking through the jungle along Sungai Sekamat at around 6.15am, a few kilometres from the scene of the attempted break in.

“The policemen identified themselves and the suspects came at them with parang.

“Our men opened fire in self defence,” he said, adding that four of the suspects died at the scene while another escaped into the jungle.

He said the suspects were believed to be in their 20s and 30s and several weapons, including parang, were recovered from the scene.

“We believe the suspect at large will attempt to get medical aid.

“If anyone working in a clinic or hospital comes across a man with a suspected gunshot wound, call the police immediately,” he said.

Kajang OCPD Asst Comm Othman Nanyan said the suspects were believed to have been active in robberies here since 2015.

“They would target houses with easy access, tie up all the occupants and leave with all the cash, jewellery and electronic items.

“Based on this modus operandi, we believe the suspects are responsible for 37 robberies last year, 19 robberies this year and five attempted break-ins,” he said.

ACP Othman said the suspects were believed to be active in areas around Kajang including Bandar Sungai Long, Bandar Mahkota Cheras, Taman Saujana Impian, Taman Puncak Saujana, Taman Sekamat Jaya, Taman Hulu Langat and Country Heights.

He added that one of the dead was believed to be a foreigner as he had identification documents from a neighbouring country.

ACP Othman said the hunt for the suspect at large was in progress and involved 107 personnel from various units including the K-9 Unit and General Operations Force.

“We have set up a 2km perimeter around the scene of the shooting,” he said, urging those with information to contact the police hotline, 03-2052 9999, or visit the nearest police station.