Highwayman shot dead in S. Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead an alleged highwayman in Petukangan Selatan, South Jakarta, yesterday after he robbed a female motorist.

A senior officer at the Kebayoran Lama police subprecinct said the suspect, Andi Afriadi, 23, was shot after he tried to stop detectives from arresting him.

The officer, who refused to be named, said that Andi had allegedly robbed housewife Ellywati Jaya on Jl. Palem VIII as she drove home yesterday morning. Ellywati had earlier taken her children to school.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang confirmed that detectives tried to arrest Andi and that a shot had been fired but refused to give further details.

The Kebayoran Lama police officer speculated that Andi had been involved in at least three similar crimes in the area recently.

The descriptions given by previous victims about their attacker matched Andi's physical appearance, he said.

The officer said the other victims had all been women and the method and timing of the previous crimes were similar to yesterday's case.

Andi allegedly scattered handmade nails on the street to flatten the tires of passing vehicles and waited for his victims to stop before offering to help.

Ellywati told police yesterday that the man approached her and offered to help after she stopped to repair the flat tire.

She gave the man Rp 5,000 (US$1.6), thanked him and got into the car. But he prevented Ellywati from closing the door.

"He indicated he had a dagger and said: 'I'm not here to help you. I'm a robber'." Ellywati said.

The woman handed over her gold ring and Rp 52,000.

But a police patrol car was passing through the area, which was quite deserted that morning, and the officers spotted the crime.

The officers attempted to arrest the man but he threatened police with the knife before fleeing, the police said.

After firing two warning shots, one patrol officer finally shot the man, he said.

Liar

Witnesses said that Andi was actually shot later in the afternoon during a reconstruction of the robbery.

Local residents said they captured Andi about 9 a.m. shortly after hearing the victim's screams for help. There were two women in the car.

They said Andi had tried to run away but he was caught a short distance from the site and taken to a nearby police station.

They said police prohibited residents from watching the reconstruction.

But, during the reconstruction, the police stopped a car, driven by a woman, and asked the suspect to reenact the robbery, residents said.

"Maybe he (the suspect) refused to do so and tried to run so the police were forced to shoot him," they said.

"The police shot him in the neck, thigh and then fired into the air. The female driver must have panicked because she left the site soon after the shooting." (cst)