Alleged robber shot dead for resisting arrest

JAKARTA (JP): An alleged robber was shot dead by police after he and an accomplice broke into a house in Lebak Bulus, South Jakarta, city police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang yesterday.

Supardi, 37, was shot late Monday night after he resisted arrest and attacked a detective with a sickle, Aritonang said.

"Another detective shot Supardi after he slashed First Sgt. H with the sickle."

He said the wounded detective was being treated at a hospital.

"We're still looking for the suspect's accomplice who managed to flee during the raid."

Aritonang said Supardi was wanted by police for several robberies he allegedly committed with the accomplice.

Supardi was believed to have been involved in a robbery at the house of a Japanese national in Kemang, South Jakarta, early last week and the house of another expatriate on Jl. Darmawangsa, also in South Jakarta, last month.

He said Supardi, who allegedly operated as a hoodlum at Lebak Bulus Bus Station, and his accomplice were robbing a house in Lebak Lestari estate when the shooting took place.

Aritonang refused to name the robbery victim or disclose details of the incident at the request of the house owner.

He said a security officer who guarded a neighbor's property saw the two suspects sneaking into the house and called the police.

"The suspects got out of the house and tried to run away as soon as they realized police had arrived at the scene."

Supardi was shot in the head by one of the detectives and another shot was fired at the escaping suspect but it is not known whether the man was hit.

Aritonang said his office was in the process of identify the other suspect by tracing all of Supardi's friends at the Lebak Bulus station. (cst)