Two cops in MPV injured while chasing suspect

BAGAN SERAI: Two Penang policemen sustained injuries when the multi-purpose vehicle ( MPV) they were travelling in skidded while giving chase to a suspected criminal at the Alor Pongsu interchange of the North South Expressway near here, early yesterday.

Corporal Nelson Mateo Anak Kasin, 34, suffered a broken shoulder, while Corporal Mohd Haizrul Mohamed Lazin, 36, sustained chin injury during 2.20am incident.

Another policeman in the vehicle, Corporal Mohd Khairul Akmar Roshmi, 33, escaped unhurt.

Kerian Police chief Supt Omar Bakhtiar Yaakob said the three policemen, along with several others in separate police cars, were chasing a crime case suspect in a Proton Wira car when the mishap occurred.

He said the suspect had tried to escape the police from Penang by passing several toll plazas from Juru to Kuala Kangsar before turning back to Alor Pongsu.

“The suspect’s car suddenly squeezed against the side of the police MPV, causing it to skid and crash into the road divider at the Alor Pongsu toll plaza interchange.

“The suspect then fled the scene before his car skidded and plunged into a drain in Jalan Selama.

He tried to escape on foot into an oil palm plantation, but was arrested shortly after,” he said in a statement here yesterday.

Upon inspection, Omar Bakhtiar said police found 10 Eramin 5 pills, as well as two small packets of substance believed to be syabu and ketamine on the 27-year- old suspect.

The case is being investigated under Section 43 (1) of the Road Transport Act 1987, as well as Section 307 of the Penal Code and Section 39B of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952. — Bernama