Another alleged criminal shot dead in S. Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead Saturday a man believed to have been involved in a series of thefts at several South Jakarta shopping centers.

South Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Sisno Adiwinoto said police shot Aldiyanto, alias Anto Kancil, 24, for trying to escape when asked to locate his accomplices on Jl. Sinabung in Kebayoran Baru.

"After firing three warning shots, police shot the suspect in his leg and back," Sisno said.

He said Anto died on the way to Kramatjati Police Hospital in East Jakarta.

Sisno said Anto and his two accomplices, Buyung and Ucok, were wanted over a series of thefts at many shopping centers, like Pasaraya and Seibu department store in Blok M.

The three men are believed to have stolen jewelry worth hundreds of millions of rupiah from Pasaraya department store in May, Sisno said.

Police also believe the same men broke into the Seibu department store last week but failed to steal anything because a security guard spotted them.

Local police managed to arrest Anto but failed to catch his accomplices.

Sisno said the gang always broke into stores at midnight and fled in the early hours.

City police have gunned down at least 70 alleged criminals this year.

Police said the shootings were caused by suspects trying to flee or attack officers and ignoring police warning shots. (jun)