Four crimes spoil New Year's festivity

JAKARTA (JP): Four crimes spoiled New Year's Eve celebrations in Greater Jakarta, City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata said yesterday.

Speaking at an early morning press conference, Hamami said the most serious crime happened on a West Jakarta toll road when eight men robbed a truck driver and stole goods worth Rp 100 million (US$42,105) at 8:00 p.m. on Dec. 31.

"Armed with a sickle one of the criminals forced the truck driver, Masimun, to submit," Hamami said.

All the suspects are still at large, the two-star general said. He did not describe what goods were stolen by the eight.

According to Hamami, three men broke into the house of Soopater Alkatiri in Jati Bening, Bekasi, two hours earlier and stole Rp 10 million.

He said the burglars entered the house through the front door before threatening to kill Alkatiri with a sword. "They asked the victim for money and escaped."

The police also arrested a man for robbing a private company employee, Edi, of a 25-gram gold necklace on Jl. Tubagus Angke, in West Jakarta.

The suspect, identified as Herry Heriyanto, asked Edi for the necklace and threatened to kill him if he refused.

"A police patrol who knew of the incident chased after and arrested the suspect," the police chief said.

Another burglary happened at a private firm PT Surya Eden Utama. "More than one persons stole three computers, two printers and an audio set worth Rp 10 million from the office," he said.

The thieves entered the company's office after breaking the door lock.

Hamami said 250 crimes had occurred from Dec. 30 to Dec. 31 1996, or 100 less than in the same period in 1995. (jun)