Cempaka Putih resident shot

JAKARTA (JP): A Cempaka Putih resident in Central Jakarta was shot on Tuesday evening attempting to apprehend a member of a vehicle thieving gang.

Central Jakarta Police detective chief Maj. Budiono Sandi on Thursday identified the wounded resident as 24-year-old Rudy Novianto.

The blue metallic Kijang van belonging to Jenri Sinaga was parked in front of his girlfriend Dela Malik's house. Budiono said at 11 p.m. the car alarm sounded and Jenri went outside to investigate.

"First he saw two unidentified men sitting in the front seats, he then banged on the locked door," Budiono said.

Suddenly, a third man hiding in the back seat appeared and fired several shots through the car window.

"The shootings seemed to only discourage Jenri as all of the shots went into the air," the officer said.

Hearing the gunfire, Rudy, accompanied by dozens of neighbors rushed to the scene. While attempting to flag down the vehicle, the local was shot in the thigh, Budiono said.

The thieves made off with the vehicle, the officer said. (emf)