Third armed robbery suspect shot dead in Sungai Petani, linked to over 30 past offences and RM6 million crime spree.

SUNGAI PETANI, July 6 — Police have shot dead another man believed to be involved in a series of armed robberies, just a day after two other suspects were killed in a shootout in Jitra.

The 34-year-old suspect was fatally shot at 7.50pm during a confrontation with police in Bandar Puteri Jaya, according to Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) acting director Datuk Fadil Marsus.

“This was a special operation led by Bukit Aman CID, with support from various state contingents and branches of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).

“Today, we encountered a man suspected to be part of a gang involved in multiple armed robberies across several states. When attempts were made to arrest him, he resisted, resulting in a shootout that led to his death,” he told reporters at the scene.

Police recovered a pistol and several other items from the suspect, who had over 30 previous criminal records.

Fadil said the suspect was believed to be a key member of a criminal syndicate made up of more than a dozen individuals, linked to armed robberies, gangsterism, and drug trafficking since 2022, with total losses estimated at nearly RM6 million.

“Our investigations also connect this suspect to three recent armed robbery cases in Melaka, Negeri Sembilan, and Perak,” he added.

He stressed that police will continue to take firm and aggressive action against those involved in violent crimes, particularly those involving firearms.

The case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code.

Just a day earlier, two other suspects were shot dead by police in a shootout near the North-South Expressway exit at Bandar Darul Aman in Jitra. — Bernam