Ecstasy user caught for holdup

Ecstasy user caught for holdup

JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested an alleged user of the drug Ecstasy after the suspect attempted to rob a student yesterday.

Police said Endang, 20, a resident of Pasar Kembang, Central Jakarta, was caught by Second Lt. Eddy Sunarya after he robbed Julainsah, a grade-two student of Yapernas Junior High School, near the Megaria cinema in Central Jakarta.

Juliansah said he was on the way home in a minibus on the Manggarai-Pulo Gadung route at about 12:00 midday when the suspect suddenly came upon him and told him to give up his cap and watch.

"I was afraid, so I gave him my watch but I handed my cap to my friend," Juliansah said.

After the robbery, the suspect jumped out of the minibus with Juliansah in pursuit. The victim met friends on the street and asked them to chase the suspect.

Police said that at that moment Lt. Eddy Sunarya saw the what was happening and apprehended both the suspect and the victim.

When questioned, the suspect tried to hide his wallet, arousing suspicion, police said.

Police confiscated the wallet, finding that it contained a paper cutter, which had been used to threaten the victim, and 18 pills of "Nipam 10", which is said to be a type of Ecstasy.

According to the police, the victim was still under the influence of the drug during questioning, rendering him unable to provide affirmative information.

Police said this is the first case they have encountered of an Ecstasy user committing a crime. To date, police are aware of only two deaths as a result of Ecstasy overdose. (05)