Ex-taxi driver turns to crime

JAKARTA: Darto, 41, a father of four, quit his job as a taxi driver two months ago and joined an auto theft syndicate, but was arrested earlier this week will likely be behind bars for some time.

"I was arrested this weekend as I was leaving my house in Bantar Gebang, Bekasi. I had been involved in only three robberies," he said on Thursday.

The Jakarta Police also arrested four other members of the gang, identified as Rastim, Hadi Prayitno, Tarsudi and Tarmidi.

"The gang specializes in stealing Toyota Kijang minivans from upmarket housing complexes in the middle of the night," the city police detectives chief Sr. Comr. Mathius Salempang said.

He added that syndicate members were prepared to use violence as they often threatened their victims with sickles, if discovered in the act.

"From the information we have gotten from them, they stole at least 43 vehicles that have not been recovered. We are still looking for them," Salempang said. -- JP