Malaysian Police Thwart Robbery Spree as Centro Gang Members Meet Fatal End

Last Updated on March 13, 2024 12:48 pm

In a dramatic encounter on Monday, Malaysian police intercepted and engaged in a deadly shootout with suspected members of the infamous Centro Gang, resulting in the deaths of three individuals, including a Bangladeshi national. The incident unfolded around 11:30 am on the Pekan-Kuantan bypass at KM17.

Authorities identified the deceased as two Vietnamese men, aged 36 and 44, and a 38-year-old Bangladeshi. The police action came in response to the suspicion that the individuals were part of the notorious Centro Gang, known for their modus operandi involving break-ins at jewelry shops.

Pahang police chief Comm Datuk Seri Yahaya Othman provided details of the encounter, stating that a police team observed the suspects’ vehicle behaving suspiciously near the Pahang State Development Board in Pekan. Upon signaling the car to stop, it accelerated, leading to a chase.

During the pursuit, the suspects collided with the back of a police vehicle. Subsequently, when police officers approached the scene, the suspects opened fire. In self-defense, the police retaliated, resulting in the fatal shooting of all three individuals in the car.

Upon inspecting the vehicle, authorities discovered a Glock 17 gun with seven bullets, along with an arsenal of tools including drills, grinders, machetes, and hammers. The car was allegedly owned by the Bangladeshi national.

Comm Yahaya explained, “We are still checking the background of the Bangladeshi. The gang’s method was to break into jewelry shops, use a grinder to open the safe, and steal the jewels.” The police are treating this case as attempted murder under Section 307 of the Penal Code, suspecting the trio’s involvement in six gold shop robberies since June of the previous year.

The shootout serves as a significant development in the ongoing battle against organized crime in Malaysia, as authorities continue to investigate and dismantle criminal networks posing a threat to public safety and security.