Highwayman arrested

JAKARTA (JP): Four men who robbed passengers in a medium-sized bus yesterday fled police, but police managed to arrest one suspect near City Police Headquarters.

The arrested suspect was identified as 17-year-old Rudy Sitompul.

The bus was run by the Kowanbisata cooperative plying the Pulogadung-Ciledug route from Ciledug, East Jakarta, to a border area between South Jakarta and Tangerang.

City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday the men had robbed at least eight passengers.

"The four crooks hopped on the bus in Pulogadung. They threatened passengers with sharp weapons and asked for cash," Aritonang said.

Irwan, a bus crew member, said the suspects had posed as police officers, checking everyone's identity cards before demanding for money.

Aritonang said the suspects took at least Rp 80,000 from two passengers.

"As the bus left the Cawang toll road exit ramp near the City Police Headquarters, the driver, Hanafi, kept blowing the horn. The noise attracted police attention and the bus was pulled over," he said. (cst)