20 arrested for thefts

JAKARTA: Central Jakarta Police arrested 20 people between Feb. 13 and Feb. 26 for stealing cellphones and money.

Detective chief Comr. A.R. Yoyol said that the suspects had allegedly been operating in Senen, Tanah Abang, Gambir and Cempaka Putih. He also warned Jakartans to be extra vigilant when in these areas.

In Senen, the most prone areas to money theft is Senen market, Poncol railway station, Senen interchange and overpass.

While in Tanah Abang subdistrict, suspects usually bang on the windows of passing cars, forcing passengers to hand over their cellphones. Car sidemirrors were also often snatched in the area around Tanah Abang railway station, Petamburan traffic lights and Tanah Abang market.

Two crime-prone areas in Gambir subdistrict are Harmoni area and the area near Carrefour supermarket on Jl. Gajah Mada, while in Cempaka Putih subdistrict it is in front of Cempaka Mas Apartment and Jl. Let.Jen Soeprapto intersection.

Yoyol warned car owners to be especially vigilant when passing Sawah Besar, Lapangan Banteng and Duku Atas. -- JP