Arson suspected in shop fires

BOGOR (JP): Police suspect arson was involved in a fire that destroyed two shops in Cileungsi subdistrict Monday night.

The fire occurred a day after employees of the shop belonging to Tolib, 50, reportedly mobbed to death a notorious thug, Komarudin, 25, who allegedly often tried to extort money from them.

Dadang, a security guard who witnessed the incident, said the hoodlum was mobbed after challenging the employees to fight with him.

"When he was cornered and realized there was no way to escape, Komarudin leaped into a lake. His body was found floating on the lake and had multiple stab wounds," Dadang said.

On Monday night, Tolib's shop caught fire, which spread to the adjacent shop belonging to Janter Purba.

"We believed the shops were burned by the hoodlum's friends or relatives in revenge for his murder," said a police officer. (24)