Machete-welding man shot by police at Ayer Tawar, Manjung

Police had to fire a warning shot before arresting a man who was brandishing a machete as he tried to escape police inspection at Ayer Tawar, Manjung near here Monday.

State Criminal Investigation Department chief Datuk Gan Tian Kee said in the 5am incident a police team tried to stop the suspect who was riding a Honda EX 5 motorcycle as he was acting suspiciously.

Instead of stopping, the 50-year-old man tried to hit the policemen as he sped off, he said.

"Three policemen gave chase on their motorcycles and as they approached him he threw a plastic bag containing burglary tools which hit one of the policemen.

"The policemen continued to chase the suspect up to Kampung Banjar, Ayer Tawar before the suspect took out a machete and started swinging the weapon in a threatening manner, " he said in a statement here today.

Gan said in an act of self-defence, one of the policemen fired a shot at the suspect's right knee which threw him off his motorcycle.

He said on inspection, six packets suspected to contain heroin and syabu were found in the suspect's shirt pocket, adding that a machete and water pump were discovered on the motorcycle.

"The engine number of the vehicle was found tampered and there was no record of the chassis number," he added.

He said the suspect had nine previous criminal record including convictions for theft and burglary and his urine was tested positive for methamphetamine.

He said the suspect who is from Taiping and worked as a plumber was taken to the Ayer Tawar police station before being sent to the Seri Manjung Hospital for treatment.

Gan said police would seek a remand order for the suspect tomorrow and the case would be investigated under Section 353 and 188 of the Penal Code for using criminal force to deter a public servant from discharging his duties and Section 29 (1) of the Minor Offences Act 1955 and Section 6 ( 1) of the Corrosive, Explosive Substances and Offensive Weapons Act 1958.

-- BERNAMA