BMW car thief shot dead

TANGERANG: A member of a gang of thieves, who specialized in stealing German-made BMW sedans, was shot dead early on Friday by Tangerang police detectives on Jl. Klunir, near the Batavia Cafe in the Kota area of West Jakarta.

The criminal was identified as Sadam bin Lamri, 31. He was being sought by the police, along with eight accomplices, for his alleged crimes in Tangerang and Jakarta.

The Tangerang police detectives deputy chief, Insp. Kustanto, said the police had earlier received reports that the suspect was seen in Serang, Banten, but when the officers arrived, he was already on his way to Jl. Kunir.

As the police were about to arrest him, Sadam pulled out a gun and tried to fire before he himself was killed. -- JP