Driver sent to jail for stealing garments

JAKARTA (JP): A container truck driver was sentenced by North Jakarta District Court on Tuesday to three years in jail for stealing and selling garments worth Rp 700 million (US$87,500).

Presiding judge Salmen Purba said defendant Hartoyo, 33, an employee of PT Tunas Marsima Transport, was ordered by his employer to transport the garments -- that belonged to private firm PT Horindo Tama Mandiri -- to a warehouse in Cakung, North Jakarta on July 24.

"Instead of driving the garments to the warehouse, the defendant headed to Serang, West Java," Purba told the court.

According to the judge, Hartoyo and his three friends, Lado, Herman and Gali, sold the garments packed in 229 boxes to a buyer in Serang for Rp 18 million.

After taking his Rp 4 million share, Hartoyo gave the remaining Rp 12 million to his three accomplices, Purba said.

Lado, Herman and Gali are still at large.

The defendant said that he spent the money on hotel fees, entertainment and other needs while he was on the run, the judge said.

Forced

Hartoyo had told the court that he was forced by his three friends to sell the garments.

"I was once threatened by my friends to help them with the crime. I really regretted it," he said.

Purba said the police confiscated Rp 2 million in cash from the defendant.

The indictment did not mention the name of the garment buyer in Serang.

The judge said the defendant had violated Article 374 of the Criminal Code on swindling. The article carries a maximum punishment of five years in jail.

"The defendant's actions could have damaged people's trust in the transport company," Purba said.

Prosecutor Bardan P. had asked the court for three years.

Both the prosecutor and the defendant accepted the judge's decision. (jun)