Alleged sandal thief mobbed by neighbors

JAKARTA (JP): A 19-year-old boy was mobbed by his neighbors after they caught him stealing a pair of sandals from a passer-by in Sawah Besar in Central Jakarta late Monday.

Romli Kurnia, claiming to be a student, suffered light injuries from the beating, which only stopped with the arrival of local police officers.

According to Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis, Romli was beaten by the mob in his own residential area of Jl. Kartini at around 8 p.m., after he was seen robbing Pun Meu Pun.

"He was spotted by his neighbors," the officer said on Wednesday.

Pun later told police that he was on his way back to his house on nearby Jl. Karang Anyar that evening when Romli blocked his way and asked for some money.

"Pun told Romli that he had no money or valuables either," Lubis said.

This apparently upset Romli, who pulled a knife from his pocket and put its edge to Pun's cheek.

"He then observed his victim and saw that the only valuable thing was Pun's Neckerman sandals," Lubis said.

Romli then forced Pun to take off his sandals, threatening to stab him if he refused.

The frightened Pun handed his sandals over to Romli, who then attempted to run away.

However, Pun's screams for help alerted locals gathered at a nearby food stall.

"The people then flocked to the site, and some chased Romli, who happened to be their own neighbor," Lubis said.

Pun bought the sandals for Rp 110,000. A second-hand pair of the same brand could be sold at the flea markets here for Rp 40,000. It not known if Romli planned to sell the sandals.

Local residents called police, who arrived and rescued Romli from the violent mob then took him to a nearby police post for questioning. (emf)