A high-speed police chase involving a red Proton Saga that went viral on Wednesday ended with the arrest of a couple, both of whom tested positive for methamphetamine and have previous drug and criminal records.
Melaka Tengah district police chief Assistant Commissioner Halim Abas said the suspects, a 39-year-old man and a 32-year-old woman, were detained after allegedly fleeing a police inspection.
The incident began at about 6.20pm when a task force from the Melaka Tengah District Police Headquarters’ Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department spotted the car behaving suspiciously near an apartment in Tengkera.
When officers attempted to stop the vehicle, the driver allegedly sped off, triggering a pursuit through several major roads in Melaka.
“The suspect is believed to have driven dangerously, including swerving between lanes and driving against the flow of traffic to evade arrest,” Halim said in a statement on Thursday.
Videos of the chase went viral on Threads on Wednesday, showing at least eight police vehicles pursuing the red Proton Saga at several locations, including Jalan Istana and Batu Berendam.
The pursuit covered about 30km and lasted roughly an hour before ending at a dead-end road near Masjid Saidina Umar Abdul Aziz in Kampung Sungai Putat.
Halim said the couple abandoned their car and attempted to flee on foot but were eventually apprehended by police.
A police officer was injured during a struggle with the male suspect while making the arrest.
Initial investigations found that both suspects tested positive for methamphetamine in urine screening tests.
Police checks also revealed that the man had eight previous records — seven related to narcotics and one involving a criminal offence. The woman had 11 previous records, including 10 related to narcotics and one involving a criminal offence.
Both suspects have been remanded for four days, from Oct 15 to 18, to assist with further investigations.
The case is being investigated under Sections 186 and 279 of the Penal Code, Section 42 of the Road Transport Act 1987, and Sections 12(2) and 15(1) of the Dangerous Drugs Act 1952.
Halim warned that fleeing police checks and driving dangerously could endanger the lives and safety of other road users. He also urged the public not to speculate or circulate unverified information about the incident.
