Chili sauce is a new tool in the criminal's arsenal

Chili sauce is a new tool in the criminal's arsenal

JAKARTA (JP): Chili sauce was put to an unusual new use on
Thursday when a hapless criminal used it as a weapon in a botched
robbery.

The man was caught by residents of Batu Ampar subdistrict in
Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, early on Thursday morning after
attempting to steal an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver's vehicle
after rubbing chili sauce on the drivers face.

The startling incident took place in Gang Mesjid Al-Amin in
Kramat Jati at around 1:30 a.m.

The suspect, identified as Cecep, 19, was caught shortly after
the victim, Yoto Prayono, 21, screamed for help after
experiencing an unbearable "burning" sensation on his face,
including his eyes and nose.

Yoto's fellow ojek drivers later rushed him to a nearby
hospital but he was later discharged after suffering no serious
reaction to the sauce attack.

The incident began when Cecep hailed Yoto on Jl. Raya Bogor
and asked him to go to Gang Mesjid.

"He had no suspicions whatsoever. The suspect was friendly and
chatted continually," Madi, a fellow ojek driver, quoted Yoto as
saying.

Shortly after entering the alley, Cecep asked Yoto to stop in
a quiet location.

"He (Cecep) dismounted and asked what the fare was," Madi
said, adding that the two men agreed on Rp 3,500 (44 US cents).

However, instead of paying the fare, Cecep drew a sachet of
chili sauce and abruptly rubbed the contents over Yoto's face, he
added.

Yoto was taken by surprise, fell off his motorcycle and then
ran off in panic to clean the sauce from his face.

Cecep, who had apparently planned the attack, mounted the
motorcycle and tried to start the engine.

However, before he could make his getaway, Yoto's screams
alerted nearby residents, who stormed out of their houses and
detained Cecep.

The residents were quick to come to Yoto's assistance because
many were still up preparing their predawn meals," Madi said.

Police officers from the nearby Makasar subprecinct arrived
later and whisked the suspect off for questioning. They also
seized Yoto's Tornado Suzuki motorcycle as evidence.

It is not known if Cecep was beaten up by his captors before
they handed him over to the police.

Jakarta police spokesman Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang confirmed
the incident and said the case was now being handled by the East
Jakarta Police.

Ojek drivers have been the frequent targets in a recent spate
of motorcycle thefts.

According to city police data, there were 2,384 motorcycle
thefts in Jakarta last year compared to 3,183 thefts in 1997.
(emf)