25 suspected criminals netted in street operations
25 suspected criminals netted in street operations
JAKARTA (JP): The police have netted at least 25 suspected
criminals, including Armed Forces (ABRI) members, in a series of
operations held over the past week here.
The suspects had five guns, 15 sharp weapons and 30 vehicles
in their possession.
City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang briefed the media
yesterday, saying the officers involved in the operation, code
named Kilat Jaya (Greater Jakarta Lightening), also confiscated a
few grams of putaw (low-grade heroin), 10 fake vehicle number
plates and 10 Ecstasy pills.
The five guns, he said, were seized from the ABRI members, who
did not have permits to carry the weapons.
"We have investigated them and turned them over to the Jakarta
military police for further investigation," Aritonang said.
Street operations against criminals are routine activities of
the Jakarta Police. Such operations are usually carried out from
midnight to dawn.
The operations, however, have been intensified in recent weeks
following the increasing number of armed robberies in Greater
Jakarta.
In their latest operation yesterday morning, one police team
netted three people driving a Panther van on Jl. Raya Lenteng
Agung in South Jakarta. Police seized an FN gun from the three
men, Aritonang said.
During interrogation, the three identified themselves as ABRI
members Jeffry, 24, Hendi, 22 and Kodrat, 41.
"All of them were transferred immediately to the Jakarta
military police," Aritonang said.
When contacted by The Jakarta Post last night, deputy
commander of the city military police Lt. Col. Darmadi confirmed
the transfer.
"It's for sure that they are members of Army Strategic
Reserves Command (Kostrad).
"Two of them are first sergeants and the other a private. They
are under interrogation now and if proven guilty they will be
court-martialled for undisciplined acts," Darmadi said.
When asked about their motive, Darmadi simply said: "They just
wanted to show off."
Darmadi also said the three could be sentenced to a maximum 14
days imprisonment for carrying a gun without a permit.
During the crackdown on Monday, police arrested five men in
two separate incidents.
Biner Iwan Togatoro, 40, one of seven members of an armed gang
which usually operates in Greater Jakarta, was captured in the
first raid at 9 a.m..
Biner was driving a Kijang van on Jl. H. Juanda in Bekasi with
eight of his accomplices when the police stopped them.
"When the officers asked them to get out of the vehicle, they
suddenly flee and only Biner (the driver) was caught red-handed
with a sickle, two machetes, a sword, fake number plates,
hydraulic scissors and rope," Aritonang explained.
Earlier in the day, the Bekasi Police apprehended four alleged
truck robbers: Lukman, 37, Muhadi, 35, Asep bin Atama, 27 and Ali
Umar, 55.
"They have been on the police's most wanted list for about a
year. They specialize in robbing trucks. Police captured them
driving a truck carrying two tons of thread," Aritonang said.
The operation will be continued at least until the third week
of this month, Aritonang said. (edt)