JOHOR BARU (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Three suspected criminals were gunned down by the police following an attempt to rob a shopping mall in Johor Baru.

Deputy-Inspector General of Police Datuk Seri Bakri Zinin said police spotted a vehicle at Taman Desa Tebrau on Saturday at about 10.15pm.

"The suspects in the vehicle then fired several shots towards the police where we had to return fire.

"Two suspects died while the other one is critically injured and is receiving treatment," he said at a press conference at the state police headquarters here on Sunday.

Mr Bakri added that following the shootout, police detained eight other gang members around here within 24 hours.

"The group is believed to have been active for the past two years and targeted money changers in Johor and Pahang," he said.