Bank robbers escape with Rp 400 million

Bank robbers escape with Rp 400 million

JAKARTA (JP): Tangerang Police detectives are searching for
the culprits who robbed the Bank Central Asia branch office on
Jl. Imam Bonjol in Karawaci, west of here.

The thieves escaped with a safe containing Rp 400 million
(about US$45.4 million) in the robbery, which took place at about
3:30 a.m. on Thursday.

The head of the Tangerang Police crime unit, Sr.Insp.
Augustinus B. Pangaribuan, said on Friday police had questioned
several witnesses in the case, including two bank security guards
identified as Tonggo Sibutar-Butar, 27 and Yusuf, 27.

Tonggo, who reported the crime to the police, said he heard
suspicious noises coming from the front of the building and
opened the banks door to investigate.

He said one of six robbers then broke the glass in the door
and warned Tonggo to remain silent. The robbers then tied him up
before making off with the safe, he said.

According to Yusuf, who was on duty before the incident took
place, an unidentified man telephoned and threatened to rob the
bank, but he dismissed the call as a hoax. (41/07)