Craftsman arrested for alleged rape, murder

Craftsman arrested for alleged rape, murder

JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Police detectives on Tuesday
brought a 21-year-old craftsman into custody for allegedly raping
and killing a housewife living next-door to his small factory in
Ciputat.

Chief of the precinct, Col. Nono Supriyono, said his officers
are still investigating the case, since they found several
inconsistencies in statements by the suspect to the
investigators.

But the suspect, Abdul Rohman, told reporters that he had
admitted to having committed the crime alone on Monday afternoon.
The 28-year-old victim was alone, except for her three-old-son,
at her home in the Pondok Hijau Lestari housing complex.

He said he really liked the victim from the first time he
worked at the small furniture manufacturing company eight months
ago.

"She was a beautiful woman," Abdul said.

According to officer Nono, the arrest of Abdul was made based
on a tip-off from the victim's son, Nabila, who saw the suspect
leaving the home.

Abdul was arrested at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at a place in
Cireunde area, where he used to meet with his friends, the
officer said.

According to the suspect, he knew that the victim was home
alone with her son everyday. Her husband always returned home
from his office at about 6 p.m. Abdul also admitted that he and
the victim knew each other well.

Abdul recalled that he sometimes watched the victim through
her window.

The suspect said that he entered the house at 2 p.m. on Monday
and dragged the housewife to the bedroom and brutally raped her.

Preliminary police investigation disclosed that the victim had
attempted to resist Abdul's assault but was then strangled to
keep her still.

The craftsman did not explain whether or not he really wanted
to kill the woman.

After raping and killing the woman, he hastily left the scene
without knowing the victim's child saw him leaving the house.

The body of the woman was found at 6:30 p.m. by her husband.
The victim was found in the bedroom, wearing nothing but a bra.

According to officer Nono, his men need more time to determine
if others may have been involved in the crimes.

Separately, forensic expert, Zulhasmar Syamsu from the Cipto
Mangunkusumo General Hospital, who conducted the post-mortem
examination of the victim's body, said the housewife had been
sexually abused and several bruises were found on her private
parts.

A cut wound was also found on the left side of her abdomen, he
added.

Zulhasmar concluded that her death was caused by
strangulation.

He said that team members were still examining characteristics
of sperm recovered from the victim's body. (06)