Flat tire robbery

A few days back a sharpened tube, installed in a piece of cardboard, was placed on the road and when my car ran over it one of my tires went flat within 200 meters. My being experienced with flat tires, we did not stop the car until in a well lit area, next to a security post. What we pulled out of the tire was something that had been carefully made in a shop to assure the tire went flat quickly.

I am sure someone was watching and following us. My experience last year is what saved me from being a victim. Was I on a dark, side street? No, it happened on Jl. Sudirman after exiting Jl. Gatot Subroto.

Last May after the riots, I like many others withdrew some money in case I needed to leave town. I left BCA Cilegon early in the morning and several kilometers later got a flat tire while on a busy road. At the time I had two companions with me. Twelve hours later, I got a second flat tire, while returning home after praying at a pastor's house for the restoration of peace and safety in Indonesia. The second flat occurred on a busy, but dark road. I jacked up the car and my driver went to get the spare fixed. While waiting for my driver to return, suddenly the back door to my car flew open, and a man ran off with my bags. I chased after him and was but five meters away when he turned and fired five shots with a gun that I assumed was a starter pistol (criminals can't get guns in Indonesia remember). I wrestled one bag from the man before he fled on a motorcycle. To this day my car bears two bullet holes and my head a scar from 12 stitches where I almost lost my life. Gun robberies were rare last year when this occurred, they no longer are. A flat tire is usually followed by armed robbers on motorcycles.

My advice on car jockeys. When you bring a jockey into your car you are vulnerable. While a jockey was entering my car the other day, a weapon fell out of his pocket onto the seat. It looked like a chain attached to two sticks for strangling someone. Nothing occurred, I kept up small talk and never took my eyes off him. Jockey robberies are also occurring. Once again, if the situation occurs, give the robber what he wants, but avoid being driven to a deserted location. Throwing your wallet out the window is a trick that has saved lives.

Last advice: Help as many as you financially can around you. The situation is now so bad, even good people are doing bad things to survive. And foremost: Pray for Indonesia.

ALEX POLLACK

Anyer, West Java