Eight arrested for alleged robbery

BEKASI (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said yesterday officers had arrested seven men for allegedly robbing one of BDNI branches at the Lippo Cikarang complex, Bekasi.

He said the men allegedly ambushed the motorized mobile bank in Lemahabang, on Tuesday, attacking the employees and stealing Rp 96 million.

"The seven men were separately arrested in Pandeglang, West Java. We're really happy that we could nab them on the following Wednesday and Thursday.

"We are still hunting for another suspect."

The seven alleged offenders have been identified only as Ms, S, M, Sb, Y, Kh and A.

"Ms is the mobile bank's driver who, on the day of the incident, was scheduled to transfer the money to a private company located in the Lemahabang industrial estate."

Ms was arrested for allegedly conspiring with the robbers, supplying them with inside information and setting up the ambush.

During the robbery, Ms, a female employee and three of the bank's security guards were neither beaten nor tied up.

Hamami urged banks and private companies to use police protection services whenever they wanted to transfer money from one place to another.

"I know that three of the bank's security guards escorted the bank's car. Apparently, it was not enough. They should be guarded by armed police officers as well."

He said the suspects were still being questioned.

The police have so far confiscated Rp 47 million, 40 grams of gold, a car and some weapons believed to have been used during the robbery, he said. (cst)