Malaysian police shoot dead armed Thai woman

Asia-Pacific News

Oct 14, 2009, 10:00 GMT

Kuala Lumpur - Malaysian police shot and killed a Thai woman believed to be part of a criminal gang wanted for armed robberies, kidnappings and arms smuggling in the northern state of Penang, police said Wednesday.
Police had cornered the suspect following a high-speed car chase late Tuesday, when the 34-year-old woman began firing at officers, state police chief Ayub Yaakob said.
'When she was asked to surrender she shot at police and police returned fire and shot her dead,' Ayub was quoted as saying the official Bernama news agency.
He said police found a pistol and several rounds of ammunition in the suspect's car, adding that the woman was believed to be linked to the gang's leader.
'Investigation also revealed that the gang travelled frequently to the neighbouring country and were believed to bring in arms. They are a dangerous gang and would do anything as they had firearms,' Ayub said.
He said police were tracking down four other gang members.