Convenience store robbed in Ciputat

JAKARTA (JP): Police are looking for five men involved in the armed robbery of a convenience store in Ciputat, South Jakarta.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said on Wednesday that the thieves escaped with more than Rp 1 million (US$289), a nine-gram gold ring and a wristwatch.

"The suspects were armed with sharp weapons and a handgun, possibly an FN model," he said.

The men, who drove a black Suzuki Baleno, pretended to be customers when they entered the Lingkar S store on Jl. Rajawali 24 about 3:30 a.m. yesterday, he said.

Once inside the store, they pointed their weapons at the owner, Suiriyanto, his wife and two attendants, Aritonang said.

"The owner's wife and the employees were tied together with wire and locked in a toilet. Suiriyanto, whose hands were also bound, was forced to open the till."

He said Suiriyanto had almost freed himself when one of the robbers noticed his attempts to loosen the wire.

"The suspects became angry and wounded him with a sickle."

He was locked in the toilet with the others before the robbers fled the scene, he said.

A customer, who heard their calls for help, came to their rescue. (cst)