16-year-old boy arrested for Ciledug killings

TANGERANG (JP): Police have arrested a boy for the violent murder of a housewife and her niece on Jl. Taman Asri Lama in Kampung Cipadu, Ciledug district, an official said here Saturday.

Tangerang Police Chief Lt. Col. Pudji Hartanto told The Jakarta Post that the alleged killer, Priyono, 16, was arrested about two and a half hours after the two bodies were found 9 a.m. Friday.

The victims, Sri Suyati, 35, and Endah Srianingsih, 14, were found by a neighbor, Ipah, 60. The victims' bodies reportedly bore severe stab wounds.

"Initially we could not declare him as a suspect because he refused to confess to the killing. But as soon as we found Priyono's shirt stained with blood, combined with the results of a forensic test over the blood on the shirt and other evidence, he could not deny himself and admitted to the murders," Pudji said.

Priyono, Sri's stepson, was living in a house next door to the scene of the crime. "We traced the bloodstain using a police dog which eventually led us to him."

Tangerang Police detective chief Maj. Krisnandi said the killer's motive was simply a grudge.

"Priyono said he was upset over the treatment he got from his stepmother. He said he was often being scolded for something he did not do.

"He once asked Sri for money to go to Bali. But instead of giving the money to him, she gave it to her niece, Endah. This upset him deeply," Krisnandi said.

Police also questioned Sri's husband, Sarmin, who claimed that he had left for work when the incident happened at 3 a.m. Friday.

"There were some differences when we cross-checked his statement with Priyono," Krisnandi said.

"There is a possibility that he was also involved in the case."

Police already found fingerprints on an ax and knife believed to have been used in the brutal murder. "There were other fingerprints besides Priyono's. We're still checking who it belongs to."

Priyono's mother, Tulatmi, who is also Sarmin's former wife, was also questioned. (edt)