KUALA LUMPUR: The man shot dead after exchanging gunfire with policemen in Jalan Bandar Bukit Beruntung last night was a hardened criminal, say police.
Selangor police chief, Datuk Hussein Omar Khan, said the man had a criminal record which included robbery, armed robbery, theft as well as drugs.
"Our checks showed that the suspect was involved in various criminal activities in Kedah since five years ago.
"We are now in the process of tracking down the suspect's criminal network," he said when contacted.
Hussein said the shootout occurred at 9.33pm after the suspect, who was asked by policemen from the Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department to stop his vehicle, failed to do so.
The suspect instead opened fire at the police, which led to a firefight, killing the suspect.
"The suspect, 36, is Malaysian. He had 16 prior criminal offences on his record," he said.
Hussein said an investigation is being carried out under Section 307 of the Penal Code and Section 8 of the Arms Act 1960.
He urged members of the public with information on the case to contact the nearest police station or the Hulu Selangor police headquarters.