Extortionist shot dead in Kota

JAKARTA (JP): A man caught extorting money from bajaj (three- wheeled pedicab) drivers was shot dead after he wounded two pedestrians and attacked police officers in front of the Bank Exim building in Kota, West Jakarta on Tuesday.

Maj. Djamalludin, who heads Taman Sari police subprecinct, said the victim was identified as Tulus, a vagrant notorious for extorting money from bajaj drivers in the area.

Tulus was shot in the chest and left thigh shortly after a police patrol stopped him from extorting money at knife point from bajaj drivers at 4:30 a.m., Djamalludin said.

"When one of the bajaj drivers shouted for help, police officers got out of their car and attempted to stop Tulus," he said.

In the ensuing tussle, Tulus stabbed bicycle taxi driver Rudi Ismanto and street musician Risky after they tried to stop him.

"Tulus narrowly evaded capture and ran into a school compound near Sion Church. But then he rushed back to attack the officers and they were forced to shoot him," Djamalludin said.

Rudi Ismanto received stomach wounds and Risky was stabbed in the back. Both were taken to Ciptomangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta for treatment.

Tulus' body was sent to the hospital's morgue for a postmortem examination. (emf)