KUALA LUMPUR: Two suspected robbers were shot dead by police in separate incidents in Cheras and Bandar Sunway yesterday.
At least one of the men is believed to have been linked to a series of recent jewelry store heists in Negri Sembilan and the Klang Valley.
About 10.30pm yesterday, the Federal Special Task Force on Organised Crime (STAFFOC) and City police contingent headquarters's Serious Crimes Division (D9) received information on a robbery suspect in Taman Connaught, Cheras.
Police had instructed the 22-year-old suspect, who was in a Perodua Myvi, to stop his vehicle for inspection. Instead, the man fired off a shot towards the police.
Police returned fire, killing the suspect.
It is learnt that the suspect, who hailed from Bandar Baru Salak Tinggi, has a record for illegal firearms possession and robbery.
Police believe that he was involved in the jewelry store heists in the Klang Valley and Negri Sembilan since Dec 31.
Later, at 2.45am, police shot dead a 33-year-old man at Jalan PJS 9, Bandar Sunway.
Subang Jaya police chief Assistant Commissioner Mohammad Azlin Sadari said the man, from Bandar Puchong Jaya, had a record for multiple criminal offences.
Police said the man, also in a Perodua Myvi, was behaving in a suspicious manner, prompting police to instruct him to pull over.
Instead, the man attempted to flee and fired a weapon in the direction of the police.
The man died in a subsequent exchange of gunfire with the police.
Police have so far remained tight-lipped on whether the suspect has any ties to the robbers in the Klang Valley and Negri Sembilan jewelry store heists.
City police are expected to issue a statement on the cases soon.