Armed gangs hijack cars, victims unhurt

Armed gangs hijack cars, victims unhurt

JAKARTA (JP): Gangs of armed men hijacked vehicles driven by
two lone motorists in South Jakarta then abandoned their victims
on the Jagorawi toll road between Jakarta and Bogor in separate
incidents on Monday night.

The first victim was identified as Ajid, 22, a resident of Jl.
Baung in Lenteng Agung, South Jakarta. He was found with his
hands bound by a toll road patrol in the Cipayung area at around
10 p.m.

Ajid, who drove a Kijang van license plate number B 9441 TD,
was taken to the nearby Ciracas police subprecinct to report the
incident.

Ajid said three men entered his car and threatened him with
machetes when he stopped at a traffic light on Jl. Fatmawati in
South Jakarta.

"They pushed me aside and took the steering wheel," he said.

Although shaken, Ajid suffered no serious injuries during his
ordeal.

Police at Ciracas declined to comment on the incident, saying
that an investigation was now underway.

Later that evening at around 11 p.m., the victim of a similar
crime presented himself to attendants at the South Sentul toll
gate. He had been picked up and taken there by an unidentified
motorist.

The second victim was identified as Suparman, 31, a resident
of Jl. Sandratex in Rempoa, South Jakarta.

The motorist found Suparman on the toll road median in the
Pakuan area of Bogor. His hands had been bound.

Suparman, who was driving a Kijang van, license plate number B
1317 SI, told South Sentul toll gate attendants that a gang of
youths stopped him on Jl. Ciputat Raya in South Jakarta.

Like Ajid, Suparman was driven through South Jakarta then on
toward Bogor via the Pondok Pinang and Jagorawi toll roads.

Jakarta police spokesman Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang confirmed
the incidents had taken place and said an investigation was now
underway. He declined to give any further details.

Abri from the Jagorawi toll road communication center told
reporters on Tuesday that the robberies did not indicate a lack
of security on toll roads.

"It's safe on the toll roads. They (the thieves) did not
commit the crimes on toll roads," he said.

"The victims were only abandoned on the toll roads," he
pointed out.

Abri said the robbers had apparently targeted lone motorists.

"In both incidents, the robbers hijacked the car then drove
onto the toll road to get rid off the victim," Abri added. (emf)