2 alleged robbers shot dead

JAKARTA (JP): Police officers shot dead two men in two separate incidents in South Jakarta and Tangerang, one late Sunday and one early Monday, raising the number of people shot dead by the capital's law enforcers this year to 23.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said the suspect killed in South Jakarta was identified as Heru Baskoro, 35, a resident of Jl. Kereta Api in Tangerang, and the other victim a 38-year-old homeless man called Acip, alias Bonang.

Heru was shot twice, in his chest and abdomen, while Acip was shot in his back and thigh. Both men died before receiving medical treatment.

"Heru was shot as he ignored three warning shots fired by plainclothes police," Lubis said, saying the police saw Heru robbing a passenger on a public minibus.

The passenger, Eko Putranto, 41, was returning home on board minibus S-37, on the Pasar Minggu-Blok M route.

The incident took place in front of the Attorney General's Office in Kebayoran Baru district at around 8 p.m.

Eko reportedly screamed for help when Heru pointed a knife at him. His screams alerted patrolling police officers, who then chased after the minibus.

Lubis said police shot Heru as he tried to escape.

The other victim, Acip, who is wanted by police for his suspected involvement in a series of armed robberies in Tangerang, was shot when he reportedly resisted arrest. Police allege he tried to attack the officers when they tried to arrest him.

"He was shot where he sheltered in the Buaran market area, where he was frequently reported to have extorted money from local traders and passersby," Lubis said. (emf)