Malaysian police have shot dead three members of the notorious Kumpulan Rimba gang that have been terrorising owners of luxury hillside homes in George Town, Penang.
Policemen fired at least 10 shots at the suspects - all Indonesians - after they tried to attack police officers who had gone to check on a house break-in near the Penang Municipal park.
With the success, the police believed they have solved at least 18 burglary cases, involving RM572,000 (S$230,000).
Penang police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Abd Rahim Hanafi said that during the 3.30am incident on Sunday, his men had no choice but to open fire as the suspects had charged at them.
"They tried to attack us with parangs, although the team had identified themselves as policemen," he said.
"They were aggressive. We believe there are other members at large."
He added that the suspects acted aggressively to avoid being arrested by a police team.
Self-defence
The police arrived after residents alerted them to robbers' attempt to break into a house, reported Malaysia's NTV7 television channel.
The police had to gun down the suspects in self-defence when they continued to attack, despite a warning shot fired to stop them.
Mr Abd Rahim said three parangs, a screwdriver and a cutter were seized.
The suspects were in their 20s and 30s.
He said the gang targeted hillside properties because it was easier to escape by hiding in the forest.
"They would strike between 3am and 6am when people are asleep. It seems that they are quite familiar with the hills and forests," he said.
Investigations showed that the gang had broken into luxury homes in Waterfall Road, Jelutong, Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Bungah and Taman Jesselton since early this year.
It is learnt that a senior police officer had also fallen victim to the gang last year after they broke into his house in Taman Jesselton and fled with valuables worth RM20,000.
Policemen fired at least 10 shots at the suspects - all Indonesians - after they tried to attack police officers who had gone to check on a house break-in near the Penang Municipal park.
With the success, the police believed they have solved at least 18 burglary cases, involving RM572,000 (S$230,000).
Penang police chief Deputy Commissioner Datuk Abd Rahim Hanafi said that during the 3.30am incident on Sunday, his men had no choice but to open fire as the suspects had charged at them.
"They tried to attack us with parangs, although the team had identified themselves as policemen," he said.
"They were aggressive. We believe there are other members at large."
He added that the suspects acted aggressively to avoid being arrested by a police team.
Self-defence
The police arrived after residents alerted them to robbers' attempt to break into a house, reported Malaysia's NTV7 television channel.
The police had to gun down the suspects in self-defence when they continued to attack, despite a warning shot fired to stop them.
Mr Abd Rahim said three parangs, a screwdriver and a cutter were seized.
The suspects were in their 20s and 30s.
He said the gang targeted hillside properties because it was easier to escape by hiding in the forest.
"They would strike between 3am and 6am when people are asleep. It seems that they are quite familiar with the hills and forests," he said.
Investigations showed that the gang had broken into luxury homes in Waterfall Road, Jelutong, Tanjung Tokong, Tanjung Bungah and Taman Jesselton since early this year.
It is learnt that a senior police officer had also fallen victim to the gang last year after they broke into his house in Taman Jesselton and fled with valuables worth RM20,000.
