Bogor man arrested for killing his boss

BOGOR (JP): Police have arrested a man who is believed to have killed his employer and dumped the body in an old artesian well located behind the victim's scrap iron factory in Ciparigi village, North Bogor.

Abas Basuki, 29, was arrested on Friday, a day after the body of Arja Dumadi Sutandar, 60, was found by the police, who were acting on a tip-off from the victim's wife, Bogor Police chief Lt. Col. Edmond Ilyas told the media on Monday.

"The suspect is the victim's employee," Edmond said.

During preliminary questioning, Abas said he murdered his boss on Thursday morning because he was dissatisfied with the victim, the officer said.

"The victim once reportedly promised the suspect to give him Rp 1 million (US$133), which he never received," Edmond explained.

Speaking to reporters, Abas said Ajar made the promise in the form of commission if he (Abas) was able to sell a quantity of scrap iron.

"It was two years ago and he never kept his promise," Abas said.

According to Edmond, the killing took place at the factory when they were alone.

"The suspect killed the victim by using an iron bar," he said.

"In an attempt to hide his tracks, he dumped the body into the old well and then put some old tires on top of the body."

After hiding the body, Abas stole some scrap iron from the factory and took it in a truck to a trader, Edmond said.

Before leaving the site, the suspect wrote a note -- as if written by Ajar -- and glued in to the factory's announcement board. It read: "Don't come to the factory for six months as my wife and I are in Jakarta", the officer added.

The note aroused the suspicion of Zaelani, the victim's other employee, who reported it to Ajar's wife, Mutia.

"Mutia was surprised by the report. She then became suspicious after her husband had been away from home for two days without explanation," Edmond said.

Mutia reported the case to the police, who examined the factory site and found drops of blood heading to the artesian well.

Abas said: "Actually, I didn't mean to end his life but I really need money during this time of hardship." (24/bsr)