House robberies strike North, South Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Two robberies occurred separately in Pademangan, North Jakarta, and Kemang, South Jakarta, on Sunday night and Monday morning respectively, causing losses of more than two kilograms of gold, two cars, a motorcycle, US$27,700 and S$10,000.

Police were yet to make any arrests in connection with the two cases, but suspected the role of a housemaid in the Pademangan robbery.

"The victim (owner of the house) was out for dinner when the robbery took place, and there were no signs of breaking and entering," North Jakarta Police chief Lt.Col. Wisjnu Amat Sastro said.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the only witness to the robbery was 20-year-old housemaid Sumaria Hesti.

The maid told the police three robbers broke into the house at about 8 p.m. and tied her up in the bathroom.

Police speculated that the criminals gained entry to the house of businessman Juvli Sukses, 28, on Jl. Pademangan I by using duplicate keys.

Two kilograms of gold jewelry, 700 grams of gold bars, US$27,700, S$10,000, a fax machine and some valuable documents were listed as missing from the house.

The burglary in South Jakarta took place at the house of businessman Marzuki, 23, on Jl. Kemang Timur II.

Marzuki told local police that approximately 10 men broke into his house through the front door at 4 a.m. on Monday.

It was not clear whether Marzuki was at home when the robbery took place.

He said the intruders hastily tied up his wife before stealing 500 grams of jewelry and three vehicles: a Kijang Rover van, a white Toyota Corolla sedan and a silver Honda Tiger motorcycle.

South Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Satria Harry Prasetya said the case was still under investigation.(03)