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)