City told to fix transport system amid rampant robberies

Damar Harsanto, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Criminologist Erlangga Masdiana of the University of Indonesia called on the city administration to improve the public transportation system in the capital following widespread reports of robberies targeting passengers.

Erlangga said the lack of public transportation vehicles on the outskirts of Jakarta had forced stranded passengers to use alternative forms of transportation, which often put them at risk.

"The administration must improve public transportation so that commuters do not have to use ompreng (private vans used for commercial purposes to transport passengers)," he said.

Police arrested five suspects on Sunday who allegedly carried out a series of robberies targeting commuters on Sunday. The suspects usually offered lifts to stranded passengers.

"They used a private van to disguise their intent. On their way to certain destinations, they would rob the passengers," said city police detectives' chief Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang.

The suspects are Alboin Simanjuntak, Anggian Hutajulu alias Atom, Alfon Sihombing alias Abal, Ledis Susianita and Sri Lilis Agustina. They were arrested in three separate places in Citeureup, Bogor; Kampung Rambutan, East Jakarta; and Bekasi.

To lull their victims into a false sense of security, the two female suspects pretended to be passengers.

From the suspects, the police seized 15 wrist watches, jewelry, three cell phones and the Suzuki Carry van used in the robbery.

Salempang said in some cases, the robbers also forced the victims to give them their PIN numbers.

"Sometime, they also took their victims hostage and demanded ransoms from their families," he said.

The robbers operated on the outskirts of Jakarta, including in Gunung Putri, Bogor; Cimanggis, Depok; Bekasi; Ciracas and Cibubur, both in East Jakarta.

The arrests of the suspects followed reports from victims.