GEORGE TOWN: Police were forced to open fire on a Perodua Myvi when its driver fled after ramming into a pedestrian and attempting to crash into policemen at Jalan Batu Uban 2 here this morning.
In the 6.40am incident, two policemen in an MPV were patrolling around Datuk Keramat when they stumbled upon the Myvi, driven suspiciously.
The policemen tried to flag down the silver colour Myvi at the Jalan P Ramlee - Jalan Perak traffic light but the male driver sped off, leading police in a high-speed chase.
Northeast district police chief Assistant Commissioner Soffian Santong said when the driver approached the Jalan Perak market, he rammed into a 61-year-old pedestrian, who was crossing the road and sped off.
He said the driver then continued for several kilometres in the direction of Jalan Van Praagh.
"When the driver arrived at Jalan Batu Uban 2, near E Park, the policemen in the MPV again ordered him to stop his vehicle but he continued to act aggressively and almost knocked into them.
"The policemen in the MPV were left with no choice but to open fire at the right rear tyre of the Myvi. Three shots were fired in total.
"At the same time, a police URB, who arrived to assist opened fire on the front of the Myvi.
"The driver, who was not injured, was finally apprehended at the scene. Checks inside the vehicle led to the recovery of three packets of Heroin AB drugs weighing 13gm," he said today.
Soffian said checks on the driver revealed the 46-year-old was from Jalan Kampung Melayu in Air Itam.
Further checks on the car, he added, found that it was registered under the name of a car rental company based in Jalan Sg Tiram 3, Bayan Lepas.
"The pedestrian, who was rammed by the driver, was confirmed dead at the scene," he said.
Soffian said further checks on the driver, a grass cutter, revealed he had 16 previous records, 14 of which for drug-related offences.
The case is being probed under Section 302 for murder, Section 186 of the Penal Code for obstructing public servant in discharge of his public function and Section 39 of the Arms Act 1960.