Bogus police nabbed

JAKARTA (JP): A high school student was arrested Saturday for wearing police uniform and extorting money from truck drivers on Jl. Ciputat Raya, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta.

The suspect was identified as Hendrik Zainudin, 17, a second grade student at SMEA PGRI senior high school in Ciputat, Tangerang.

Hendrik was caught red-handed extorting money at 3 a.m. in a complete second lieutenant's uniform, said South Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Sisno Adiwinoto.

The suspect collected "security fees" worth between Rp 5,000 (US$1.90) and Rp 25,000 from each truck driver passing along Jl. Ciputat Raya.

It remains unclear why the truck drivers did not react to being bribed.

During police questioning, the young suspect admitted that he bought the police uniform and badge at the nearby Pasar Jum'at market two weeks ago.

A police investigator could stop laugh when the suspect replied to all his questions in a military manner. (jun)