Eight arrested for thefts, robberies

JAKARTA: Police have cracked down on four gangs involved in vehicle thefts and street robberies, arresting eight suspects and confiscating two cars this month.

Jakarta Police vehicle unit head Comr. Hendro Pandowo said Mamat, the alleged leader of the first gang, and his two accomplices had been arrested. Three other members of the group were still at large, Antara reported.

The gang allegedly started operating in 1999 and had stolen at least 18 cars from Jonggol, Bogor, Cianjur and Bekasi.

The second group consisted of five people. The alleged leader, Hanafi, was arrested but the others were still at large.

Armed with knives, they stole cell phones from motorists stopped at intersections along Jl. Jembatan Tiga, Grogol, West Jakarta and sold them at Roxi, West Jakarta.

Another group allegedly led by Firmansyah also operated in a similar manner.

Firmansyah was arrested, but two other members of the gang managed to escape.

The police also arrested Sugiono and two other persons from another gang. They allegedly stole valuables from cars by forcing the doors open. They operated in various places in the city, including Depok, Lippo Cikarang, Cilegon and Karawang, West Java.--JP