SUBANG JAYA, MALAYSIA: Three robbers who tried to rob patrons of a hair salon in a shopping complex yesterday got more than they bargained for when one of the victims turned out to be a police inspector.

In the 4.45pm incident at South City Plaza in Seri Kembangan near here, the suspects stormed into the salon brandishing parang and ordered the six patrons and six workers to hand over their valuables.

A police spokesman said the inspector, who was in plain clothes, kept his cool and handed over his handphone and cash.

However when two of the suspects headed to the cash register, the inspector drew out his service revolver and ordered them to surrender but they charged at him instead.

The inspector fired three shots at them, two of which hit the suspects and caused them to collapse to the floor. The third suspect, who was guarding the entrance, fled and escaped in a waiting car.

The wounded suspects were arrested before being sent to a nearby hospital for treatment. Police have launched a manhunt for the accomplice.

Earlier, three men armed with a pistol and an axe robbed a goldsmith?s shop at the same shopping complex of RM350,000 worth of jewellery.

The robbers covered their faces with stockings before rushing into the premises in the 12.45pm incident.

Sources said one of the robbers, who brandished a pistol, stood guard outside the shop while the other two went inside.

It is learnt that the robbers then asked one of the workers to scoop up 11 trays of jewellery into a bag and later fled in a white Proton Wira.

Selangor police chief Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar, who confirmed both incidents, said police believe two different groups were involved in the separate incidents.