Four escape Kuta detention

Four escape Kuta detention

DENPASAR, Bali (JP): Four inmates escaped from Kuta police
subprecinct detention center, some 15 kilometers west of here on
Wednesday.

The four fugitives were identified as Steven Juki, 26, Novel
Burhanuddin, 22, Sofyan Kadir, 19, and Putut Hartanto, 28.

Juki was detained for assault and battery while the other
three are alleged drug dealers. All of them were detained pending
their trial.

"I deeply regret this incident and I am ready to take
responsibility for it," Kuta Police chief Sr. Insp. Made Astawa
said later in the day.

Denpasar Police chief Sr. Comr. DBM Suharya said "the on duty
officers at the time of the incident must be held responsible for
this."

"We've already deployed a special unit to track the inmates,"
he added.

Sources said the breakout was in part due to the negligence of
two officers guarding the facilities.

"There were no signs of forced exit. The guards probably
forgot to lock the bolt on the steel gate," the source said.

The detention chamber was last checked by the officers at 11
p.m. Tuesday.

"But when the guards came back at 2:30 a.m. on Wednesday, the
four men were already missing," he said. (zen/edt)