Burglar mobbed in East Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): An alleged burglar was mobbed by a crowd of people yesterday for attempting to burglarize a house in Ciracas, East Jakarta, police said.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday the suspect, identified as Maksum, 50, had tried to steal a variety of property from the house, including electronic appliances and clothes.

Maksum was surprised by the owner, Sarimun, who immediately screamed for help on seeing the intruder.

Aritonang said Maksum broke into Sarimun's house on Jl. Makmur, at around 2 a.m. yesterday.

He said Maksum must have watched the neighborhood before sneaking into the house.

"Maksum had packed up the goods and was ready to escape by the front door when the victim woke up and saw him standing in the living room with his hands full of stolen goods," Aritonang said.

The suspect, who panicked when the victim screamed out for help, tried to run away, but the victim's neighbors caught him before he could flee the scene, he said.

Maksum suffered several injuries after being beaten up by the angry crowd.

The police questioned several witnesses and kept Maksum in detention for further investigation. (cst)