Armed robberies soar as end of Ramadhan festivities begins
Armed robberies soar as end of Ramadhan festivities begins
Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta
Armed robberies and burglaries are on the rise as Idul Fitri,
which will fall on Nov. 25 and 26, draws near. Over the past
three days, at least three cases a day have been reported.
In broad daylight on Wednesday, four unidentified robbers
stopped a van carrying Rp 50 million in cash on Jl. Kelapa Kopyor
Jaya, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta. The robbers shot the left
window of the van, grabbed a bag of money, and fled the scene.
Bambang, 30, the driver of the Mitsubishi Lancer and Yusril,
45, a passenger, both from a company police identified only as PT
Multi Lie, were helpless against the robbers who threatened them
with their guns.
The robbers escaped the scene on Suzuki Satria and RX King
motorcycles. The stolen money was to have been for employees'
salaries.
Later in the day, Qonita Bahrir, 33, a resident of Taman
Permata housing estate in Cikunir, Jakamulya, South Bekasi, was
stopped by two unidentified robbers near Dukuh Golf course,
Kemayoran, Central Jakarta.
The robbers rammed into Qonita's Toyota Altis car with their
car, when she stopped, they threatened her with a gun and forced
her to hand over the car keys .
They also seized her two laptops.
Meanwhile, burglars entered auto parts shop Mitra Motor on Jl.
Raya Bekasi, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta on Wednesday afternoon.
The burglars damaged the locks of the rolling doors, entered
the shop, and looted three jacks, 75 car brakes, 20 gallons of
oil and 30 car mirrors, worth about Rp 15 millions in total.
In Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, Suryadi, 35, was caught red-
handed while breaking into a house.
Kredi Situmorang, 54, the house owner, woke up as Suryadi was
attempting to break the lock. Kredi managed to capture Suryadi
and handed him over to Kramat Jati Police Subprecinct.
Police have repeatedly warned Jakartans of the rising number
of crimes ahead of Idul Fitri. City Police chief Insp. Gen.
Makbul Padmanagara told those intending to withdraw large sums of
money from the bank to ask for a police escort.
Makbul also called on Jakartans to increase security in their
neighborhoods during the Idul Fitri exodus (during which many
residents return to their hometowns) as their unattended houses
could provide an opportunity for burglars.
About 2.1 million Jakartans, or one fourth of the total of 8.3
million residents, are expected to leave the city to celebrate
Idul Fitri.
In order to secure the capital during Idul Fitri, the Jakarta
police, military and administration are deploying a total of
15,174 personnel at public places and housing complexes prone to
crime.