Two of the three suspects had police records for a total of 68 offences, mostly related to vehicle theft and robbery, reported Harian Metro.

Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director Shuhaily Zain said the trio were believed to have rented cars and changed their number plates to search for four-wheel drive vehicles to steal.

“Based on intelligence, the suspects rented a car today and changed its number plate, so we believe they were about to commit another theft,” he said.

“The police officers identified themselves and tried to stop them, but they opened fire.

“A chase followed for about 750m from a housing area in Kota Emerald during which the suspects and the policemen exchanged fire.”

He said police seized a semi-automatic pistol, a gadget used to deactivate vehicle alarms, two masks, five licence plates believed to be fake, three rolls of cellophane tape and two parangs.

Shuhaily said two of the three suspects were aged 40 and 43, and the age of the third suspect has not been determined yet.

He also said police had been tracking down the group as part of Op Lejang, an operation launched last year to combat car theft.