Car thieves captured in West Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): The chief of crime investigation directorate of West Jakarta police said yesterday that they have captured five suspects alleged to have killed Suryadi Sundarsono after stealing his car on Jl. S. Parman toll road, West Jakarta.

Maj. Bahdarudin Haiti identified the robbers as Zum, Yad, K, S and W. They were apprehended in the Kebon Jeruk area in West Jakarta while trying to sell Suryadi's Isuzu Panther car on Sunday.

The five are now in police custody.

Bahdarudin said that the alleged robbers are thought to be repeat criminals whose modus operandi is to throw nails on the street to puncture the tires of potential victim's cars.

He said they then allegedly wait at a point where the drivers will stop to check their tires, at which point they then relieve them of their belongings including the car.

According to Bahdarudin, Suryadi was driving his car on Saturday at 9 p.m when he pulled up after realizing he had a flat tire. Zum allegedly used the opportunity to rob him.

Suryadi was forced to get back into his car while one of the robbers drove it to the Cikampek toll road. Suryadi had plaster taped to his nose and mouth. He died shortly after by asphyxiation and was dumped on the toll road.

The car license plates were then changed from B 7118 JA to B 7726 SA.

According to the police, during questioning Zum said a car's tires usually become flat 200 meters after being punctured by the nails.

Zum allegedly admitted having practiced the crime since 1990.

The police apprehended Zum and his friends when they sold a car with fake license plates.

Suryadi's body was found by a toll road patrolman on Monday morning.

According to Bahdarudin, Zum and his friends could be charged with violating Article 365 of the Criminal Code which concerns robbery causing a death, and could face a death sentence or life. (mas)