GEORGE TOWN: Three Malaysian men, suspected of being involved in firearms smuggling, burglary and luxury car theft, were shot dead by police in a firefight in Jalan Changkat, Pulau Burung, Nibong Tebal here this morning.
The incident occurred when a team from the Penang police Criminal Investigation Department (CID) and Seberang Perai South CID was conducting a crime prevention operation at 5.30am.
State police chief Datuk Hamzah Ahmad said during the patrol, police encountered two vehicles, a Honda Accord and a Perodua Myvi, which aroused their suspicion.
As the policemen attempted to approach the cars, a suspect fired several shots towards the cops.
"The policemen returned fire in self-defence, killing all the suspects," he told reporters at a press conference at the state police headquarters here today.
Checks on the suspects' vehicles revealed a semi-automatic pistol, a revolver, a box of 50 9mm bullets, another box of 44 9mm bullets, a parang, a crowbar as well as a hammer.
Cops also found a bolt cutter, car theft tools, screwdrivers, car licence plates and other electronic devices.
Hamzah said checks showed that the Accord was reported stolen in Seri Kembangan, Selangor in 2019 while the Myvi did not have any records.
The suspects were aged between 30 and 42. The first suspect had 35 previous offences in his criminal record, eight of which were narcotics-related.
"The second suspect had six priors in his record, while the third had no identification documents.
"The suspects were believed to be criminal accomplices, and had been active since early this year," he said.
Hamzah said checks revealed that the suspects would target homes for burglary and would also steal four-wheel drive vehicles to be smuggled abroad.
Police believe the suspects were about to commit a crime when the cops approached them.
Hamzah said the case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code for attempted murder.
"We believe that following the incident, we have solved 33 car theft and burglary cases, involving losses totalling around RM4 million," he said.