Citizens foil taxi robbery

JAKARTA (JP): Residents foiled the attempted robbery of a taxi driver early Wednesday on Jl. Mandar Bintaro, in Tangerang, and caught the two suspects, eyewitnesses and police said yesterday.

Residents said they sensed something fishy when the speeding Kosti Jaya taxi, with one of its front doors half open, failed to stop for a person hailing it.

The taxi was also seen swerving and it stopped abruptly.

The driver, later identified as Saifudin Iskandar, 45, was seen fighting with two passengers, an eyewitness, Amir, said.

Residents rushed to the scene to help the taxi driver and restrained the two passengers, both aged 20, from Jakarta.

The alleged robbers were armed with an iron bar and a sickle.

Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Aryanto Boediharjo praised the residents for coming to the rescue of the taxi driver and foiling the robbery attempt, Antara reported.

"Their action should serve as an example of how citizens should help the police combat crime in their area," Aryanto said.

Many drivers do not think to switch on the taxi's emergency lights to attract people's attention if they are in danger, he said. (pan)