14 suspects arrested

BOGOR (JP): Local police have arrested at least 14 people for their alleged involvement in seven robberies here earlier this month, chief of the Bogor Regency Police Lt. Col. Edmon Ilyas said on Saturday.

"The motive behind their crimes was mainly the pressure of meeting their daily needs," Edmond said.

Police seized vehicle radio-cassette players, cameras, wristwatches, shoes, a walkman cassette player, bicycles, mobile telephones, water pumps and dozens of sacks of cement from their possession, he said.

Edmon said most of the alleged robbers claimed the crimes were their first offenses.

But Edmond said preliminary investigations had revealed that some of the arrested men were listed as wanted criminals for their alleged roles in, for example, the theft of vehicle radio- cassette players.

"One of them has already served two terms in prison," he added.

He said the arrested men would soon be tried according to the law. (24/cst)