SHAH ALAM – The five robbery suspects who were shot to death in Putra Heights last night were involved in dozens of cases and targeted safeboxes, said Selangor police chief Datuk Hussein Omar Khan.
Their target also included the Ninja Van logistics warehouses, leading to them being dubbed “Gang Ninja Van”.
The suspects have reportedly attempted around 50 robberies since 2022, Hussein told a press conference held at the Shah Alam police headquarters today.
He said the gang was focusing on various premises including residences, offices, factories, and Ninja Van warehouses – resorting to aggressive armed tactics to steal substantial amounts of valuables.
The incident last night saw a shootout between police officers and five armed suspects in Putra Heights, which ultimately led to the deaths of the gang members.
Despite the police’s repeated orders to halt their vehicle for inspection, the suspects chose to flee, firing shots in the process, which forced the police to respond with gunfire, Hussein said.
Insider involvement?
Hussein also mentioned the possibility of insider involvement from within the Ninja Van courier company, providing information on safeboxes.
“There are possibilities of an insider within the courier company,” he said.
“However, the police are still investigating further into this case.”
Hussein identified Klang, Puchong, Bukit Jalil, and Cheras as the hotspots for their robberies, noting that the suspects were based in Klang.
He revealed that all five suspects had criminal records ranging from seven to more than 16 records each.
The police had been tracking the suspects for the past two years, but their disguises during robbery attacks delayed identification, he said.
“This gang was under police surveillance, but they always masked themselves (and wore gloves) at every robbery scene,” Hussein explained. “That’s why it took some time to track them down.”
He added that it remained unclear whether the suspects were involved in gangsterism, and investigations were ongoing.
Police also seized weapons, including machetes, hammers, two guns, and other sharp objects.
Hussein added that the gang was believed to be preparing for another robbery attempt when they were intercepted by the police. – March 30, 2024