Husband and wife caught in Ketapang for alleged robbery

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)