Two suspects shot dead in botched gems grab at PJ mall

PETALING JAYA: A botched gold heist at the Atria Shopping Gallery here yesterday saw two men shot dead and another injured from bullet wounds following a shootout with police.

The incident took place when a group of six dark skinned men, in dark jackets and full-faced helmets, arrived at the mall’s west ground-floor lobby at 5pm.

As soon as the robbers stormed the jewellery store, one of them armed with a hammer smashed the counters while his accomplices filled their loot into black bags.

Selangor CID Chief Senior Assistant Commissioner Fadzil Ahmat said the suspects ran into a police team who were deployed to the mall after a public tip off.

“A shootout ensued when after suspects opened fire the moment they realised police presence, forcing the officers to open fire in self defence,” he said.

Fadzil said the shootout ended several metres away from the west entrance.

“Two of the suspects were killed, while another was injured after being shot twice, while three others were arrested without injuries,” he said.

He said a semi-automatic handgun, a Revolver, and an air gun were seized from the suspects apart from the hammer used in the alleged robbery.

“Since we stopped them from escaping, we were able to seize all the stolen jewellery,” he added.

Fadzil said with the arrests, police believe they have crippled a gang said to be responsible for jewellery shop heists in the capital, Selangor and Negeri Sembilan over the last year.