3 Algerians arrested for burglary

DENPASAR, Bali: Police arrested three Algerian men in Kuta, some 15 kilometers east of here, after they were caught red- handed breaking into a safety deposit box in the Berlian Inn in the early hours of Thursday morning.

The three were identified as Merad Tarek, Merad Riad and Chekakri Hamid, Kuta Police chief Adj. Comr. Made Astawa said.

"The three were caught red-handed. We're also searching for two other suspects in this case," the officer said later in the day.

The arrests were made following an offer made by Tarek and Hamid to buy "mixed drinks" for the security guards on duty in the hotel as part of an attempt to render them unconscious.

The guards had previously been warned of similar ruses being used to facilitate the burglary of safety deposit boxes and some of them then went off to alert the police.

Police seized two bags containing tools and crowbars as evidence. (zen/edt)