Bogus army captain arrested

JAKARTA (JP): The Jakarta Garrison apprehended on Monday night an unemployed man who allegedly collected debts from people by impersonating an army captain.

A. Komar Hidayat, a 28-year-old resident of the Susukan subdistrict in East Jakarta, admitted yesterday he began the ploy early this year.

"People were afraid when I wore army clothes," he said, adding that he bought the clothes and a toy gun at the Senen market in Central Jakarta.

Komar said he has been frustrated ever since he failed the Army's entrance test last year.

He said people believed he was a member of the Military Police because of his convincing act.

He said he has earned Rp 1 million (US$425.53) as a debt collector.

The chief detachment of the Jakarta Garrison, Lt. Col. Otte Ruchiyat, said that Komar has worked for six men and has collected Rp 20 million.

The garrison received a report from a woman, identified as Ti of East Jakarta, on Saturday.

Ti said that she was threatened by Komar, who asked that she break relations with a businessman.

Komar admitted that he was hired by the businessman, but that he has yet to by paid by him. (jun)