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New Straits Times

[UPDATED] Man linked to Jitra shootout shot dead in Sungai Petani

SUNGAI PETANI: A man with a past record of more than 30 criminal offences was shot dead during a shootout with the police in Bandar Puteri Jaya here yesterday evening. The 34-year-old suspect was killed in a shootout with police at around 7.50pm, about 12 hours after two men, including one with 41 prior offences, were shot dead in Bandar Darul Aman, Jitra. Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department (CID) acting director Datuk Fadil Marsus said the suspect, believed to be linked to the earlier shootout in Jitra, was tracked down in a special operation carried out by Bukit Aman CID and the Kedah CID. "The suspect, originally from Perak, was a member of a robbery gang involved in armed heists across four states in Peninsular Malaysia. "We were in the process of tracking and arresting the suspect when the shootout occurred," he said, adding that the operation was carried out by Bukit Aman CID in collaboration with the Kedah CID. Fadil said a firearm was recovered from the scene, along with several other items of interest. He added that police believe the gang has been actively involved in goldsmith shop robberies since 2022, with recorded losses exceeding RM6 million. "We also believe the group is connected to several other robberies involving factories, business premises, and gold shops in other states. "So far, we have identified that the group consists of more than a dozen members. "Further arrests and raids are expected to be made soon. "This particular suspect had over 30 criminal records and, based on our intelligence, was also involved in three recent cases in Melaka last December; in Nilai, Negri Sembilan in March; and in Ipoh, Perak," he said. Fadil also explained how the latest case is linked to the earlier shootout with police at KM38 of the North-South Expressway near Bandar Darul Aman in Jitra, which occurred at 8.05am yesterday. "This suspect was among those leading the armed robbery gang I mentioned earlier. "Investigations are ongoing, and we urge the public to cooperate with the police. "We believe that this organised crime group is also involved in drug trafficking, gangsterism, extortion, and power struggles," he added. The case is being investigated under Section 307 of the Penal Code. It was reported yesterday that two were shot dead in a shootout with police in Jitra yesterday morning. The incident unfolded when a team from the Kedah and Bukit Aman CID who were patrolling the area, noticed two suspicious-looking men in a four-wheel-drive vehicle and attempted to stop it for inspection. The suspects refused to comply and instead opened fire, prompting officers to return fire.