Eight steal cash and cameras

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)