Man connected to Wangsa Maju robbery and rape case dies following altercation with police

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 8 — A man suspected of involvement in a robbery and rape case in Wangsa Maju died yesterday after a struggle with police during his arrest.

Kuala Lumpur police chief Datuk Fadil Marsus said police received an emergency call at about 12.40pm, prompting two officers to be dispatched to the scene.

“Upon arrival, the officers instructed the occupants of the house to open the door. About five minutes later, a man complied.

“The officers identified themselves and informed him they were there to conduct an inspection, but the suspect suddenly pulled out a meat cleaver and attempted to slash one of them.

“A struggle broke out, and with the help of a security guard, the suspect was subdued. During the scuffle, he punched one of the officers in the face and bit his hand,” Fadil said in a statement.

The 26-year-old suspect later complained of shortness of breath after being detained.

“An ambulance arrived about 40 minutes later, but medical personnel confirmed that the suspect had died,” Fadil said, adding that a post-mortem at Kuala Lumpur Hospital found no external injuries. The exact cause of death is pending lab results.

Fadil said four local women were in the house during the incident.

Preliminary investigations showed that the suspect had pretended to be a delivery rider to gain access to the victims’ home. He allegedly tied up the victims, locked three of them in the master bedroom, and raped one of them twice in another room.

“All victims suffered minor injuries to their hands, faces, and bodies,” he said.

The suspect, who also stole RM200 in cash and an ATM card from the victims, was found to have 10 prior criminal records related to robbery. — Bernama