MIRI, May 16: A shootout between three masked men and the police took place this afternoon at Jalan Pahlawan 3, Taman Jelita, Taman Tunku here.
It is believed that at least 10 shots were discharged during the incident with one suspect shot in the leg and at least one police personnel injured during the exchange.
The three suspects armed with guns had earlier crashed into the gate of a house with a BMW car in what is believed to be a robbery attempt.
Four people in the house, including a female domestic helper and a four-year-old boy, were at the mercy of the suspects for about 30 minutes before a mobile police vehicle (MPV) arrived at the scene at 1.30pm. The residential area was immediately cordoned off by the police.
Realising they had been discovered, the suspects discharged gunshots at the police, with the police returning fire.
Shortly after, the police managed to secure the house and two of the suspects were apprehended, while the third suspect managed to escape.
Prior to the incident, a couple, their son and their domestic helper had just arrived at the house after picking up the son from a kindergarten.
The woman said that they had parked their car in the compound and closed the gate, and they were shocked when suddenly a car had crashed into their gate, followed by three masked men armed with guns barging into their house and aiming their weapons at the occupants.
Upon gaining entry, the robbers then proceeded to ransack the house.
The woman was forced to the second floor of the house to hand over valuables while her son was duct-taped at the mouth and locked inside a bathroom with the domestic helper.
It is also believed that the husband had also somehow interfered with the robbers firing gunshots at the police, leading to a scuffle that led to the husband injuring one of his fingers.
Miri police chief ACP Lim Meng Seah and a Miri Criminal Investigation Department (CID) team rushed to the area immediately.
The case is being investigated under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971. As at press time, the city police has yet to release a statement over the incident.
Earlier this evening, Lim was met at Miri Hospital while visiting Corperal William Bell Jol, 54, who injured his left arm during the shooting incident.
Lim revealed that police had seized a firearm at the scene, and that one of the apprehended suspects is a 50-year-old from Batu Niah while the second detainee is a 35-year-old man.
He also disclosed that all the robbery suspects are locals and that police were hunting for the third suspect. — DayakDaily
