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.