Suspected car thief gunned down following attempt ram policeman

PETALING JAYA: A suspected car thief was gunned down and his three accomplices arrested today after they tried to mow down a team of policemen in a bid to escape at a light industrial area on Jalan Kilang, Section 51 here.
A 19-year-old girl who was with the dead suspect in a car suffered gunshot wounds to her hand and thigh and was sent to the Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) for treatment in the 5am incident.
Petaling Jaya police chief ACP Mohd Zaini Che Din said a police team was despatched after being tipped-off of an attempted car theft in progress in the area.
He said upon arriving at the scene, police spotted the suspects in two cars and approached the vehicles for checks.
However, he said the driver of one car accelerated the vehicle and rammed into a policeman who was on a motorcycle.
Mohd Zaini said the policeman managed to jump to safety and suffered light injuries.
In self-defence, he said detectives opened fire at the driver who was in his 30's, killing him on the spot.
Following the shootout, the police found the wounded teenage girl in the passenger seat and managed to arrest two other men who were in another vehicle.
He added that the dead suspect and his male accomplices, also in their 30s have past criminal records for a string of crimes.
Mohd Zaini said police also learnt that both vehicles, a Proton Perdana and a Honda Stream used by the suspects, were fitted with false registration plates and reported stolen just days ago in Seapark here and Jinjang, KL.
"The girl is warded at the UMMC for gunshot injuries. We also found tools commonly used for break-ins. The male suspects were actively involved in criminal activities and are wanted for several cases. Investigations are being carried out to determine if there are others involved with the gang. We are investigating the case for attempted murder," he added.