Embassy staffer suffers break-in

Embassy staffer suffers break-in

JAKARTA (JP): An unknown number of intruders broke into the
property of an Algerian Embassy staff member on Jl. Siung in
Cipayung, East Jakarta, yesterday morning, making off with a car
audio system.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said local
detectives were tracing the thieves who broke into the property
of Pewfik Mefti, an employee of the Algerian Embassy.

Based on the preliminary investigation, police learned that
the suspects probably jumped over the fence and used a
glass cutter on a window of one of the two cars parked outside
the garage. The house is still under construction.

Speaking to The Jakarta Post, Mefti said he believed there was
more than one thief, that the burglary could not have been
handled by only one man and must have been planned thoroughly.

"They must have observed my house before they actually came in
and burglarized my car this morning," he said.

According to Mefti, his servant and her brother were the first
to realize intruders were outside the garage and breaking into
one of the cars.

"My servant woke me up, saying that somebody was trying to
burglarize the house," said Mefti, 38.

He said his mother warned him not to leave the house because
she was afraid the thieves might be armed.

He said one of the thieves saw him peeping.

"He yelled awas lu (be careful) and pointed his machete in my
direction before running out of my property," said Mefti, who has
been posted in Indonesia for six years.

He said he tried to run after the suspect but lost him. "I
didn't hear any sound of a motorcycle or car when the suspect ran
away."

He said the police came quite fast, "but the hounds came very
late".

Mefti said the loss of his car audio system would be covered
by insurance.

Yesterday's incident was the second at Mefti's property in the
last 10 days.

On Saturday, somebody broke into a shed used to store
household wares and accommodate workers hired to build his house.

"The perpetrator made off with some stuff, including stoves,
all worth around Rp 500,000 (US$188)," he said. (cst)