Suspect makes getaway in hijacked police car

MALAYSIA - In a daring escape in Taiping, Ipoh, a 32-year-old suspect pushed a policeman out of a patrol car and drove away.

The incident happened on Wednesday morning, The Star reported.

Two policemen had gone to pick up the suspect. One of them had put the man in the back seat and was about to start the engine when the man lunged forward and pushed him out.

A manhunt is on to track down the man, who is believed to have headed north.

Taiping Assistant Commissioner Yusof Diah said villagers had spotted a "suspicious man" sleeping inside a lorry at about 7.30am.

Said ACP Yusof: "The villagers caught him and called the police. A patrol car with two personnel rushed to the scene to investigate.

"The man was not caught for any crime, but he failed to produce his identity card when questioned."

The man, who was from Penang, was taken to a police station for further questioning. Initial investigations revealed that he had five convictions related to drugs and car theft.

ACP Yusof said it was weaknesses on the part of the policemen for allowing the suspect to escape and, worse still, in a police vehicle.

The case will be investigated for negligence of a public servant to allow a man under his custody to escape and for escape from custody.

The two policemen will be referred to the disciplinary board for further action.

Meanwhile in Penang - about 70km from Taiping - a local security volunteer patrol member found the police car abandoned.