Eight steal cash and cameras

JAKARTA (JP): Eight men stole cash, a cellular phone and cameras worth Rp 70 million (US$29,166) from a Central Jakarta photo studio yesterday after overwhelming two security guards.

A police sergeant at the Central Jakarta Police precinct said the burglars arrived at 5:30 a.m. in a minivan and broke into the studio on Jl. Raden Saleh in the Menteng district.

"Four of the burglars pointed sickles at the security guards, Budi Kristianto and Ahmad Yasin," said the officer, who asked to remain anonymous.

He said the men then used rope to tie up the hands of Kristianto and Yasin. "The victim's heads were wrapped in a Kodak banner."

According to the officer, another security guard, Samadi, who was in the bathroom when his two friends were tied up, called the police when saw what was going on.

"He phoned the police from a room in the back of the studio," the officer said.

The Central Jakarta Police officers, who arrived at the scene a few minutes after receiving the call, failed to catch the burglars.

"The incident occurred very quickly, in about 15 minutes," the officer said.

Some people jogging in the area witnessed the incident but failed to do anything, he said.

The studio is owned by 50-year-old businessman Toni Ejuardi.

Central Jakarta Police are still looking for four others who stole cash and jewelry worth Rp 104 million from a couple on Jl. Danau Mindara, in the Tanah Abang district, Thursday.

The burglars tied up the couple and their three maids before stealing their money and jewelry. (jun)