Highwayman shot dead in S. Jakarta

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)