Ciputat police arrest two alleged burglars

JAKARTA (JP): Police in Ciputat, South Jakarta have arrested two suspected robbers, one of whom was also charged with raping a female victim.

City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said yesterday that the suspects were arrested following a tip from an eyewitness, who apparently saw a familiar face in the area when the crime took place last Sunday morning.

"A preliminary investigation has revealed that the familiar face belongs to a man whose wife is a close relative of the 24- year-old female victim, identified as NS," said Iman.

The man was identified as Agus Suwarno, alias Kalong, 31, while his accomplice was Adjar Aswat, 23.

According to Iman, it was Agus who plotted the robbery at NS' house at the Alsifah housing complex located in Sawah Lama village in Ciputat, Tangerang.

Iman said that Agus was running out of money to meet the increasing daily demands of his pregnant wife.

"He then asked a close friend of his, Adjar, to join the mission, but ordered him not to do anything except rob the victim," Iman said.

The two arrived at the house around 5 a.m. when NS' husband, Rio, a shooting coach, had just left for work.

During police questioning, the suspects said that Agus was standing guard in front of the house while Adjar knocked on the door and called NS, pretending that he was her husband and saying he had come back home to pick up something he had forgotten, said Iman.

"Just after the housewife opened the door, Adjar pushed the victim into the living room and pointed a toy gun at her. He then tied her up, put a piece of cloth in her mouth and raped her, without the knowledge of Agus," said the officer.

Realizing that his friend was taking too long, Agus rushed into the house and asked Adjar what he had done.

Upset

"When Adjar admitted to raping the woman, Agus went upset," said Iman.

They then left the house after Adjar stole some valuables, including 11 grams of gold and three wristwatches, several imitation necklaces and Rp 40,000 (US$17) in cash, the officer added.

Due to the small amount of cash, Adjar only gave Agus Rp 10,000 and promised to give him a big share later after the loot could be sold on the black market, Iman said.

Unfortunately, Adjar was arrested three days later at his hiding place in Mega Mendung in Bogor, West Java three days later after the Ciputat police obtained information from Agus, who was arrested earlier in his house, located near the scene, Iman said.

Police seized a fake gun from Adjar, which was used to threatened NS, three wristwatches and two imitation necklaces.

Earlier, while undergoing medical treatment at Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital, NS said there were three men who entered the house at that time.

She said she was not suspicious when a man asked her to open the door. "His voice was like my husband's," she said.

She said the man threatened her with a gun and then raped her in the bedroom.

"His voice was like that of someone I know," she said.

Iman said that police found no significant difficulties in completing the dossiers, meaning that the suspects' trial could start soon. (bsr)