Alleged robber dies after drinking insecticide

JAKARTA (JP): An alleged robber, who tried to commit suicide Thursday after a man died during a bungled robbery at Naga super store in Pondok Gede Plaza, Bekasi, died early yesterday.

The body of 20-year-old Rohimin has been sent to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta for a postmortem examination.

Medical staff from the Intensive Care Unit of Kramat Jati Police Hospital in East Jakarta had tried to save the man, who had swallowed liquid insecticide.

Rohimin, an employee in the store's packaging division, was found dying on the floor about 50 meters away from the body of Hayat, 45, the head of the store's finance division.

Hayat was found dead with a plastic rope tied around his neck.

A preliminary report indicates that Rohimin may have been inside the store when Hayat, the only employee who had a key, arrived to open the store Thursday morning.

It is also possible that Hayat allowed Rohimin into the store, but the latter was believed to have killed him.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said Rohimin panicked and was afraid of the consequences he would face for the alleged robbery and murder, so he tried to commit suicide by drinking the insecticide.

He said Rohimin was believed to have planned the robbery but police have not ruled out another motive behind his actions.

Rohimin's brother, Niman, 35, denied the allegations yesterday, saying that his brother would never have robbed the store.

"Rohimin was a calm boy. He was the gentlest in our family. He was a devout Moslem and usually cited the Koran after returning from work," Niman, a construction worker, said.

He said his brother never complained that he was treated badly by his supervisors, including Hayat.

Rohimin, who had worked at the store for about four months, graduated from the SMA 105 state senior high school in East Jakarta two years ago.

His body is to be buried in Cipayung or Pondok Rangon cemeteries in East Jakarta today, Niman said. (09/emf)