Computers at Lontar Foundation stolen by a group of crooks

JAKARTA (JP): Three armed robbers took away two computers and one computer printer in a midday robbery at Lontar Foundation secretariat on Jl. Danau Maninjau in Bendungan Hilir area, Central Jakarta, on Sunday.

Achmad Luthfi, a finance employee at the foundation, said the robbery occurred at around 1 p.m. while no one was inside the secretariat.

"I was about to enter the foundation's secretariat when I found the front door of the house was broken," Luthfi told The Jakarta Post at the secretariat on Monday.

The 24-year old employee said he immediately left the secretariat as he found a robber was combing the rooms of the secretariat in search of valuables.

"I was scared because there must be more than one robber in the secretariat. I fled the secretariat to look for help," he said, adding that he ran to nearby Jl. Danau Laut Tawar, where young locals often spend their days playing table tennis.

But, as he started to run, someone pointed a handgun at him from a Kijang van, which was parked in front of the secretariat. There was also another guy in the van.

"I was not aware that the two persons sitting in the Kijang van were members of the group of robbers.

"One of the two persons inside the van pointed a handgun at me, and shouted: 'Don't run !!'," said Luthfi.

Feeling scared and alone, he ignored the warning and continued to run away from the scene.

He said he returned to the secretariat minutes later along with scores of young locals, only to find the secretariat empty.

"Fortunately, I still remember the car registration number. Hopefully, the police can trace the whereabouts of the robbers," said Luthfi, who lives at the secretariat.

Tuty Chairati, a senior financial staffer at the foundation, said the foundation suffered millions of rupiah in financial losses.

"The robbers took away two Acer Pentium computers and one Epson printer. They also stole some money from my desk," she said.

She declined to mention the amount of money taken by the robbers.

"It wasn't much," she said.

The city police are investigating the case.

Lontar Foundation is a non-government organization that publishes leaflets and books on arts and local culture. The foundation also holds art exhibitions and performances. (asa)