Former soldier shot dead for robbery in Tangerang

TANGERANG (JP): Police have shot dead a former soldier suspected of committing a series of robberies in Tangerang and Jakarta, an officer said.

Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Puji Hartanto said the former sergeant, identified as Cucu Syamsudin, 45, was shot dead on Jl. Raya Cikande in Serang here on Wednesday. He was believed to have been the leader of a gang suspected of committing eight robberies in recent years.

"He was shot after he resisted arrest," Puji said on Wednesday, adding that police opened fire in accordance with the existing procedures.

The shooting took place after police arrested a man believed to be financing the gang's activities on Tuesday night.

The suspect, Ape, 45, admitted that Cucu's gang had recently robbed a gold trader named Sukandi on Jl. Raya Koper in Kresek. He also revealed the location of Cucu's hideout in Serang, the officer explained.

Police then launched a search for the former soldier in Serang and intercepted on Jl. Raya Cikande.

The fugitive pulled over and opened fire. He shot four rounds before falling to the ground with wounds to his left leg, right hand and chest, Puji said.

The wounded man was rushed to Tangerang General Hospital, but died on the way, he added.

Police recovered a revolver loaded with one round, four spent cartridges, 15 bullets for a Colt-38 pistol, an Armed Forces membership card and two identity cards.

He said that Cucu operated under two different identities, one under his own name with residency in Sumedang and the other under the name of Ecep Emed registered in Serang.

Puji said that Cucu's gang was suspected of an involvement in at least eight robberies in Tangerang and Jakarta. The gang targeted gold traders and bank customers, on one occasion making off with Rp 100 million in cash seized from a man leaving a bank in Karawang, West Java, in 1992.

The gang is also suspected of robbing Rp 30 million from a truck in Pasar Pagi, North Jakarta, in March 1998, Rp 30 million from a shoe factory in Cikupa last September and Rp 30 million from a North Jakarta warehouse later that same month.

In October, the gang robbed a bank customer of 100 million and shot an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver on the airport toll road while making their escape, he said.

Later the same month, the gang stole 600 grams of gold from a gold trader in Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta, he added. (41/jun)