Wanted man dies in shootout with police

K Jevanantha, 49, had 53 criminal records, including for murder, robbery and car theft, and was wanted by the police in Kedah, Penang, Perak, Pahang and Johor, said Seberang Perai Utara OCPD ACP Abdul Rahman Ibrahim.

He said the man had opened fire at a police squad from the Serious Crimes (D9) Division of the SPU District Police headquarters which was carrying out an operation codenamed 'Ops Cantas Khas/Ops Kargo' at 5 am in Lorong Kubur.

"Police had ordered the man, who was riding a Honda EX5 motorcycle, to stop. He stopped about three metres from the police car and opened fire at the policemen immediately after alighting from his bike.

"The man, who hailed from the Pantai Bersih area near here, fired four shots, one of which hit the right side of the police car," he told a media conference.

Police returned fire and two of the shots hit Jevanantha in the chest and head, he said.

Abdul Rahman said the police found a semi-automatic Browning pistol and four rounds of ammunition on him.

He said an investigation revealed that the motorcycle was reported missing last February in Tasek Gelugor near here.

Jevanantha's body was sent to the Seberang Jaya Hospital, he said.