Armed robbers get Rp 200m in audacious theft

JAKARTA (JP): Two unidentified men riding on a black motorcycle shot a businessman in a daylight robbery in North Jakarta on Tuesday, making off with Rp 200 million (US$22,725) in cash.

None of the many onlookers recorded the vehicle's license plate, hampering the police investigation into the crime.

North Jakarta police detective chief Maj. Heru Winarko believed the robbers tailed businessman Muhammad Roem, alias Si Yu, 31, as he drove his red Panther van with his employee, Heri, after withdrawing the money from a Bank Central Asia branch in Kelapa Gading.

"After withdrawing the cash from the bank, both Muhammad and his employee stopped at a nearby Padang restaurant for lunch," Heru said.

Muhammad then stopped at his house on nearby Jl. Janur to pick up a battery for his cellular phone.

Parked in front of his house, Muhammad remained in the driver's seat and asked Heri to take the battery.

A bag containing the money was on the backseat of the vehicle.

Suddenly, two men stopped next to his vehicle and fired a shot at the driver's door.

Many of Muhammad's neighbors, including children playing nearby, were stunned.

The bullet pierced the door and hit Muhammad in the left side of his abdomen.

"As soon as the victim collapsed, one of the men dismounted from the motorcycle and took the bag from the back seat," Heru said.

Muhammad was rushed to nearby Mediros Hospital for preliminary treatment before being transferred to Saint Carolus Hospital in Central Jakarta.

Last month, a similar robbery took place in front of PT Anugerah Adiarta money changer located behind the busy Sarinah department store on Jl. K.H. Agus Salim in Central Jakarta.

Police quoted executives of the money changer as saying a group of four robbers riding on two motorcycles grabbed Rp 500 million in cash from an employee as he arrived from withdrawing money at a nearby Bank Central Asia branch.

Witnesses said the robbers entered the front of the money changer's compound and immediately approached the black Kijang Rover van when it arrived.

Contradicting the police statement, witnesses said the men were unable to snatch the bag and fled as the crowd of onlookers swelled.

However, witnesses said the robbers fired two shoots at the crowd as they left the site. (emf)