JOHOR BARU: Four suspected criminals who led cops on a high speed chase, which triggered an accident that killed one policeman and injured another, have been arrested.
A woman and three men, aged between 24 and 29, were nabbed in a series of raids by the Johor Baru South Criminal Investigation Department yesterday.
"The suspects were arrested in Kampung Melayu Selong, Senai and Kampung Melayu Pandan between 2pm and 9pm on Sunday.
"All four tested positive for methamphetamine; while two were found to have criminal records for drug-related offences," Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay said in a press conference at the state police headquarters here.
He said the woman, a single mother-of-two who works as a factory operator, was not in the car during the chase, but she had rented the vehicle and allowed one of the men to drive it.
Police later found the car abandoned at the side of a road in Kampung Baru Pandan, where they also uncovered drug paraphernalia.
"We also have statements from two witnesses, which tally with the recording from the patrol vehicle's dashboard camera," said Ayob Khan.
He said the suspects have been remanded until Nov 5 to assist in the investigation.
"The case is being investigated under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, Section 186 of the Penal Code, and Section 15(1)(a) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952."
In the incident on Sunday, Constable Nicholester Dadup Unggat, 20, was killed while Lance Corporal Mohammad Fadhirul Musa, 32, was injured when their patrol car crashed into an SUV and overturned.
The accident occurred while they were pursuing suspected criminals fleeing in a car at Jalan Kangkar Tebrau/Jalan Tun Teja here at about 5am.
Ayob said Fadhirul was transferred out of intensive care yesterday.
"Doctors also said he did not suffer any internal injuries," said Ayob Khan.