Four arrested for wire theft

DEPOK: Cimanggis Police arrested four people on Monday on suspicion of stealing six large spools of electronic cables worth Rp 150 million (US$17,647).

The four suspects are Muslih, 33, Agus, 36, Dumih, 32, and Harahap, 38. They were arrested at their rental houses in Bogor and Depok. Police have seized the cables found in their possession.

Cimanggis Police chief Adj. Comr. Sumaryo said the theft was discovered on Monday at 7 p.m., when an employee of an expedition company reported that Muslih had taken the cables.

"The suspects left the container in which the cables were kept in Serpong, Tangerang. But we tracked them down," he said.

Muslih was ordered by the company to pick up the cable spools on Saturday at 2 p.m. in Cimanggis, then deliver them to North Jakarta. On the way, he stopped by the house of Dumih and Harahap in Sawangan, Depok. The three apparently planned to cut the cables and sell them to Agus, a fence.

"Muslih told police that he planned to use the money to buy gifts for his wife and children for Idul Fitri," Sumaryo said.

The four suspects are being held at Cimanggis Police station. -- JP