Angry crowds attack four robbers

JAKARTA (JP): Four alleged robbers were beaten by angry crowds in retaliation for crimes committed in North and East Jakarta, City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday.

Two of the four men, identified as Harno Prayitno, 18, and Aliudin, 23, were attacked about 11 p.m. Sunday after they were caught trying to rob a taxi driver in Cilincing, North Jakarta, he said.

The other two, Jahri, 20, and Taufik M. Jain, 18, were assaulted in East Jakarta about the same time after a local resident spotted them allegedly smashing the window of a car parked on a road in Rawamangun Timur.

Aritonang said the first two suspects were believed to have robbed another taxi earlier in the night and left the driver on the street.

He said they hailed a President Taxi in Cakung, East Jakarta, and asked the driver, Urip Jaya, to take them to Bojong in Bekasi, West Java.

"When they arrived at Jl. Marunda in Kebon Kelapa village, Bekasi, Harno -- who was sitting in the back seat -- began choking Urip with a metal pipe, while Aliudin -- in the front seat -- took Urip's wallet out of his pocket."

"The two then pushed Urip out of the taxi and drove away."

The taxi was abandoned in Rawa Tembaga, East Jakarta.

Aritonang said Harno and Aliudin had allegedly decided to rob another taxi driver because they found only Rp 2,000 (58 U.S. cents) in Urip's wallet.

"Not long after that they got into another taxi and headed in the direction of Cilincing in North Jakarta," he said.

"The two threatened the driver with the metal pipe but the driver started screaming for help before the suspects were able to restrain him."

The name of the taxi company and the driver were not available because the driver fled and a crowd chased the two suspects after hearing the driver's screams, Aritonang said.

Harno and Aliudin were caught and beaten before being handed over to Cilincing Police.

Aritonang said an angry crowd apprehended Jahri and Taufik, in an unrelated incident, at the PJKA housing complex in Rawamangun Timur, East Jakarta.

"The two men and an accomplice, who managed to flee, were found smashing the window of a car owned by Ribowo of Pondok Gede to steal the car's radio cassette player."

He said Jahri and Taufil were being detained at the Rawamangun Police precinct while their accomplice, identified as Ridwansyah, was still at large. (cst)