Citizens foil taxi robbery

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)