Four armed robbers arrested

JAKARTA (JP): West Jakarta's Taman Sari police, with the support of members of the On-the-Alert City Police Squad, have arrested four armed thieves caught red-handed robbing a Metromini bus.

The four are identified as Japir Nainggolan, 30, Lasmi Sianturi, 18, Martin Nainggolan, 27, and Belzatar, 20, First Lieutenant Yanto of the Taman Sari police sub-precinct said on Monday.

The Taman Sari police were alerted to the crime when the passengers on board the Pademangan-Kota route Metromini bus screamed for help.

The robbers armed with three machetes, one kitchen knife and a switchblade, initially tried to attack the arresting officers.

They gave up when members of the squad, who were patrolling in complete gear, passed by the scene and backed the Taman Sari police up with their guns. (bsr)