IPOH: Two suspects attempted to ram a police patrol car at the north-bound Tapah Rest and Service Area (RandR) on the North-South Highway late last night, prompting police officers to open fire.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the Tapah district police chief, Supt Mohd Naim Asnawi, stated that the suspects, one of whom is a woman, managed to escape during the midnight incident. Authorities are currently pursuing the duo, who are wanted by Kajang police in connection with burglary cases.

Mohd Naim explained that the Tapah police had been alerted by the Kajang district police headquarters about a pursuit involving a grey Perodua Myvi traveling from Kajang, Selangor, to the RandR. The suspects in the vehicle attempted to run down the officers as they tried to detain them in front of a fast-food restaurant. In response, the police fired four shots at the suspects’ car in self-defense.

Despite the intervention, the suspects fled by driving south-bound against traffic until they abandoned their vehicle at KM33
2.5 and escaped into a nearby forest. Ten officers from the Kajang district police headquarters were involved in the operation to apprehend the suspects.

A forensic team and the K9 Unit from the Perak contingent police headquarters have been deployed to aid the investigation. Tapah district police have initiated Ops Tutup to track down the suspects, who remain at large. Investigations revealed that the vehicle used by the suspects is registered under the name of a local woman, and the male suspect has 15 criminal records, including seven related to narcotics.

Authorities urge anyone with information regarding the incident to contact Tapah police at 05-4011222 or reach out to the nearest police station.