Husband and wife caught in Ketapang for alleged robbery

JAKARTA (JP): A married couple was caught by Ketapang Utara residents in the midday robbery of a house in the densely- populated area of Jl. Krukut Pasar, West Jakarta on Monday.

Police from the Taman Sari station identified the two suspected robbers as Dian, 18, and husband Man Kum, 27.

Police subprecinct head Maj. Djamalludin said that the couple, along with their accomplice Soen Hok, 27, allegedly broke into the house, tied up the residents and attempted to rob the house.

The officer said that Soen Hok was able to escape by climbing over the roof of the house, but the couple had no chance to get away because the neighbors, alerted to the robbery by the house servant, surrounded the alleged robbers.

"The locals attacked Man Kum and stopped only after the police arrived on the scene," Djamalludin said.

Due to severe stab wounds to the head, hands and left foot, Man Kum had to be taken to the hospital for treatment, he said.

Dian, who was temporarily detained at the Batu Sari police station, strongly denied the accusation of robbery.

"It's no robbery. We just wanted to teach Anthony (the house owner) a lesson," she told the media.

Anthony was not at home during the alleged robbery, but his wife Lie Shim, her brother Bisang and housemaid Amnah were in the house.

According to Dian, Anthony once used her address to cheat a used cellular phone dealer.

"We're arrested by the police and mobbed by the neighbors. But we were finally able to settle the problem (with the police and neighbors)," she said.

According to Dian, the plan to teach Anthony a lesson was masterminded by Soen Hok.

However, 18-year-old housemaid Amnah has a different version of the incident.

She said that the three suspects knocked on the front door at 9 a.m., politely asking for Anthony, who was not at home.

"Lie Shim, who was in her room, did not allow them to enter, but one of the three pushed the door open and forced their way into the house," Amnah recalled.

After entering the house, the two male suspects pulled out their knives and asked Amnah, Lie Shim and Bisang to move into the living room.

The three were tied up with adhesive tape and put in separate rooms. Amnah added that Lie Shim and Bisang were wounded when they initially refused to be tied up.

"Bisang and I were locked inside the bathroom while Lie Shim was put in the bedroom," Amnah said.

Two hours later, Amnah managed to free herself, and she climbed onto the roof and screamed for help.

A number of neighbors then rushed to the house.

Dian recalled: "They (the locals) violently beat my husband and threw bricks and stones at me."

According to Djamalludin, Dian, Man Kum and Soen Hok, who is still at large, would be charged with violation of Article 365 of the Criminal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 12 years imprisonment.

"They injured residents of the house and planned to rob the home, although they failed to get away with the stolen goods," he told reporters. (emf)