KUALA LUMPUR: Bukit Aman has confirmed that five members of a robbery gang led by African nationals have been taken down, including two who were shot dead during an exchange of gunfire with the police.
Director of Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department (JSJ), Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, said that in addition to the suspect who was shot dead at the KLH Trade Centre in Bandar Puchong Jaya, near Serdang, last night, another suspect was killed in a shootout with the police in Bandar Sunway on Aug 20.
"Overall, the police have shot dead two members of this criminal gang and arrested three others involved in activities led by a group of African men," he said when met at the scene last night (Sept 5).
In a raid conducted around 10.50pm at a residential unit on the ninth floor of KLH Tower, the suspect reportedly tried to attack the police by firing two shots.
The incident forced the police to return fire, resulting in the suspect's death.
Earlier, when commenting on the suspect shot dead in Bandar Sunway more than two weeks ago, Mohd Shuhaily said the African man was identified as part of a group consisting of over 10 individuals involved in 45 criminal cases since 2018, resulting in losses amounting to RM8 million.
The gang's modus operandi involved advertising transactional services on social media, including selling jewellery, currency exchange, and other businesses.
Suspects would meet the victims in a hotel and then direct them to another location in the same vehicle before other gang members attacked using weapons.
Mohd Shuhaily said that a detailed investigation is being conducted into the gang's activities, including probing how the proceeds from the robberies, amounting to over RM8 million, were utilised.