Armed robbers snatch Rp 1.24b

BOGOR: A group of 15 armed robbers managed to make away with Rp 1.24 billion (US$145,882.36) from a company and an armored vehicle of security company Securicor in Mekarsari village, Cileungsi district, Bogor regency, in a single hit on Saturday evening.

Marlan, a security guard with bottled drink distributor PT Sarana Caraka Mekarjaya, said two Toyota Kijang vans entered the office compound at around 8 p.m. When his colleague Deni approached the cars, one of the drivers fired a gun in the air. The robbers then tied up the four security guards on duty.

The robbers forced Burhan, a member of staff with SCM who was waiting for the Securicor staff to hand over the company's money. They broke into the safe and took Rp 40 million.

Two Securicor staff and a mobile brigade police who arrived at the scene minutes later were also locked up. The robbers fled the scene with another Rp 1.2 billion they took from the Securicor vehicle.

Bogor Police investigation and criminal unit head, Adj. Comr. Ferdy Sambo, said an investigation was underway. -- JP