SUNGAI PETANI : WORRIED that their cover might have been blown, a gang of four robbers left their dead partner in crime behind after they were involved in a hit-and-run accident near the Sungai Petani toll plaza yesterday.
One of the gang members, a 17-year-old, was prevented from making a getaway by the public while two others escaped in a Proton Wira they had earlier stolen from a good Samaritan, who had stopped
to help the victim of the crash.
The incident occurred at 5.20am at the Sungai Tukang intersection, near the Sungai Petani northern highway exit.
The four robbers, in a Proton Wira, were coming from Sungai Lalang when they slammed into a stationary Perodua Kancil.
Izham Md Isa, 28, who was driving a Proton Wira, was heading for Sungai Lalang when he saw the incident and decided to help the driver of the Kancil.
As he got down to help the driver, he saw three men getting out of a Proton Wira and running towards his car from across the road.
“As soon as I saw that, I gave chase along with some bystanders. However, two of the men quickly got into the car and sped off leaving their partner behind. We managed to catch him.
“I was in a state of shock. I never expected my father’s car would be stolen when I stopped to help. What was more shocking was when we saw a man wearing gloves lying dead by the roadside near the car.”
The driver of the Kancil, Ismail Ahmad, 44, said he, his wife and their son were on their way to the bus station to fetch their child, who was returning for the Hari Raya holidays.
“I had stopped at the traffic-lights junction when I saw a car approaching through the rear mirror.
“Before I realised what was happening, I heard a loud noise and my car lurched forward after being rammed by the Proton Wira.
“My child’s hand got stuck in the door and that’s when someone stopped their car to help us.
“At that moment, the other two tried to run away but some bystanders and I managed to stop the third person from escaping.”
Kuala Muda district police Criminal Investigation Department chief Deputy Superintendent Ricky Tey said the suspects had just robbed a petrol station in Sungai Lalang and were making their getaway.
“One of the suspects was badly injured and died from internal bleeding, while the other three tried to escape.
“Two of them made off in a Proton Wira stolen from across the road, while the third person was caught.
“We found a hammer, an axe and other tools in the boot of the suspect’s car, as well as stolen items.”
Tey said the death of suspect would be classified as an accident.
