JOHOR BARU, MALAYSIA: The suspect who was shot and killed in a standoff with police in Larkin on Sunday has been identified as a mastermind for the thefts of several luxury cars in a number of states.

Johor deputy police chief Senior Asst Comm I Datuk Tun Hisan Tun Hamzah said the suspect, in his 50s, was the leader of a syndicate.

On Sunday, the suspect was shot dead when he tried to run over several policemen while evading capture.

The suspect hit a policeman's motorcycle and a police car, forcing police to open fire. The man died on the spot.

"We expect to arrest more suspects. We will find out how many thefts the syndicate has committed," he said yesterday.

He said the Mazda Citra used by the suspect was reported stolen in Subang Jaya on Nov 28.

SAC I Tun Hisan urged anyone with information to contact the police hotline at 07-2212999 or the nearest police station.