Arau police chief Ahmad Mohsin Rodi said four CID officers were on routine patrol at 4.20am when they flagged down a suspicious Proton X70 carrying four men aged 20 to 34.

They fled after being ordered to stop for an inspection, Bernama reported. “During their attempted escape, they crashed into the patrol car, leaving the front of the vehicle severely damaged,” Mohsin said.

Two of the policemen fired five shots at the Proton X70 in self-defence, but no one was injured. The four suspects were detained and have been remanded for four days starting today. Equipment used to steal cable was discovered, along with a 150-metre-long cable with “Telekom Malaysia Bhd” marked on it.

Police are also seeking two suspected accomplices seen in a Perodua Myvi about 40m to 50m from the scene.