Suspected snatch thief detained after 5km chase

Police detained a man suspected of being involved in snatch thefts after pursuing him for five kilometres from Batu Ferringhi to Persiaran Tanjung Bungah here today.

During the escape attempt from the authorities, the man in his 30s who was driving a black Perodua Viva and who tested positive for drugs also crashed into two police patrol cars, a car and a motorcycle.

"The man was suspected of being involved in theft cases in the Southwest region," said Timur Laut District Police chief, ACP Anuar Omar

He said in the 1.15pm incident, police detected a car driven by the man in the Batu Ferringhi area and a team of patrol cars from the North-East District Police Headquarters chased the car towards George Town.

Police instructed the man to halt his car but the man continued to drive up to the traffic light junction in Jalan Lembah Permai before making a U-turn and collided with a motorcycle causing the motorcyclist to fall.

"He kept driving until Persiaran Tanjung Bungah, which is also a residential area before entering a dead- end. He again made a U-turn on the road divider and rammed into a Proton Iswara parked in the area," he said.

Anuar said although aware of being surrounded, the man was still trying to escape and crashed into two patrol cars, bringing his car to a standstill.

The man came out of his car and tried to flee on foot into the housing area but was managed to be detained by the police assisted by several civilians.

-- BERNAMA