JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: A man in his 40s, who is believed to be a mastermind behind the theft of luxury cars in Penang and the Klang Valley, was shot dead by police here on Sunday.

Johor CID chief ACP Amer Awal said their counterparts in Penang had alerted them to the man's whereabouts.

"We sent detectives to mount surveillance in Larkin Residence One, Larkin, from the early hours of Sunday."

The suspect was spotted driving out of the condominium in a white Naza Citra.

"A policeman in uniform, riding a police motorcycle, instructed the suspect to pull-over. A detective, in an unmarked red van, also identified himself to the suspect and his vehicle blocked the suspect's path," said Amer.

Instead of bringing his car to a halt, the suspect reversed his vehicle into the policeman on the motorcycle, who was behind his car, and then accelerated and crashed into the van, prompting the officers to open fire in self defence, he said.

Even after being shot at, the suspect's car made an abrupt turn towards the condominium, crashed into three cars parked near the entrance of the building before stopping.

"The man had succumbed to his injuries by then," Amer said at the scene.

Police found several parang, a saw, false road tax discs, various duplicate luxury car keys, false registration plates and vehicle break-in tools.

The Naza Citra was reported stolen in Subang Jaya, Selangor.

It is learnt that the man, from Negri Sembilan, is believed to have been living in the luxury condominium.

He had four previous convictions for car theft, causing hurt with a dangerous weapon, a break-in and also an offence under the Customs Act.