IPOH: Police were forced to open fire on a Proton Waja car after its driver and three passengers, believed to be robbers, tried to ram into them near Parit Buntar yesterday.
Perak police chief Datuk Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri said policemen from Kerian district police headquarters spotted a car, driven by a man suspiciously, while they were on patrol in the Parit Buntar area at about 4pm.
He said upon tailing the car, policemen saw three armed male suspects with swords and machetes rush into a waiting getaway car.
"The policemen acted swiftly in arresting all of them in the car. One suspect, who was surprised then attacked the policeman using the sword and tried to escape by running over the policemen who were in front of their car.
"Police arrested three of them while another man fled the scene, but the police know his identity.
"Earlier, all of them had robbed a 51-year-old man who works as a wholesaler and supplier of vegetables in Parit Buntar Market. The three suspects had slashed the man's right wrist and grabbed his gold chain," he said in a statement today.
Yusri said the victim sustained serious injuries and was taken to the hospital for further treatment.
"Further investigation on the three suspects showed that they have been carrying out robbery activities using the same vehicle and modus operandi in 11 previous cases.
"All of them aged between 47 and 63 had previous criminal records, including drugs. They also tested positive for methamphetamine and morphine," he said.
He added police had intensified efforts to locate the suspect, identified as P. Manimaran and those with information were urged to contact the nearest police station.