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)