Driver assistant stabbed for Rp 200

JAKARTA (JP): Two people were killed in separate crimes Thursday and Friday which involved money and gold of little value.

A Metromini bus driver's assistant was stabbed to death by a man in South Jakarta Friday night for refusing to hand over Rp 200 (8.3 U.S. cents).

In West Jakarta, a man was mobbed to death by residents for stealing a three gram gold necklace Thursday night.

The driver's assistant, 23-year-old Fery Simanjuntak, was stabbed in the stomach at about 6:30 p.m. near the Block A traditional market on Jl. R.S. Fatmawati.

A South Jakarta Police precinct sergeant said the incident took place at a bus shelter in front of the market.

He said a man known as a local hoodlum at the market approached Fery and demanded Rp 200. The officer said this was the usual amount hoodlums asked from Metromini bus crew.

But Fery, who arrived from Medan, North Sumatra, two months ago, refused to pay.

"The hoodlum suddenly stabbed Fery and escaped," the officer said.

Bus driver Rico Simanjuntak rushed Fery to the Fatmawati hospital and reported the attack to police.

"Fery died around 9:30 p.m. on his way to the hospital," he said.

Police arrested and questioned several people at the market.

Relatives picked up Fery's body at the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital's morgue for burial in Medan.

In West Jakarta the suspected thief, Ma'ad, was mobbed to death by residents on Jl. Puspa, Cengkareng. His accomplice, Budi, was seriously injured.

A West Jakarta Police precinct officer said Ma'ad, 20, and Budi, 22, approached Suwarno, who lived on Jl. Rawa Buaya, while he was walking from his office.

Ma'ad threatened Suwarno with a sickle, while Budi grabbed the victim's three-gram gold necklace, he said.

"Suwarno shouted for help as the robbers escaped," the officer said.

Locals chased the suspects and beat them," he said. (jun)