PETALING JAYA, May 16 — Two men believed to be members of the notorious gang 08 were shot dead by police during a shootout in Rawang yesterday.

The gang members, aged 40 and 41, were believed to be looking for a potential target to commit a robbery when a police team noticed the duo acting suspiciously in a Proton Waja near a night market in Jalan Lagong, Kudang.

Members of Gang 08 are known for collecting protection money, drug-related activities and armed robberies.

In the 3am incident, police trailed the suspects vehicle for two kilometres before a pursuit ensued when the suspects realised they were being followed.

Selangor CID chief Datuk Mohd Adnan Abdullah said police identified themselves and shouted at them to stop several times but the suspects continued until their car crashed into a divider.

“Police blocked the suspects car using their Toyota Hilux along Jalan Lagong after the driver lost control near a sharp bend and slammed into a divider,” he said.

Just as the policemen were about to move in on the duo, they heard shots being fired from inside the vehicle.

“The driver tried to run away while the passenger opened fire.

“Police retaliated and the suspects were were shot dead,” he said, adding none of the officers were injured in the shootout.

It was learnt that one suspect was shot in the chest, while the other was shot four times in the head and body.

He said police found a ski mask, a glove, a parang, an iron rod, two knives and a fake vehicle registration number plate in the Proton Waja.

“Based on the items found in their vehicle, we believe they were about to commit a robbery. They were using fake vehicle registration number plates to deceive police,” he said, adding the Proton Waja was reported stolen in 2014.

Mohd Adnan said police recovered a .38 calibre revolver, which had four used bullet shells and one live bullet, at  the passenger side of the car. A Beretta pistol was found in the driver’s trousers, he added.

One of the suspects had three criminal records for rioting, robbery and extortion. He was also on the police wanted list for causing grievous hurt with a dangerous weapon.

Mohd Adnan said the duo were from Kepong and Sungai Buloh.