Impersonator tried for theft

JAKARTA (JP): A man was indicted at the South Jakarta District Court yesterday for stealing eight personal computers and two printers worth Rp 21 million (US$5,833) from various police offices.

Prosecutor Azwar Syafirin said that the defendant, Aco Hartama, 33, was able to steal the equipment over two consecutive days in late August by impersonating a police officer and a computer technician.

On Aug. 30, the defendant allegedly entered the health department of the police headquarters on Jl. Trunojoyo in South Jakarta and identified himself as First Lt. Indra Cahya.

Azwar said that Aco, a resident of Jl. Tole in Depok, told an on-duty police officer that he was assigned by the department's head to take two computers to be repaired.

Under the officer's permission, he took the computers and put them in his Kijang minivan, he said.

The defendant then allegedly went to the nearby National Central Interpol Bureau, where he told the duty officer that he was assigned by the officer's superior, Wilhelmuss Laturette, to take two computers in the office for repair.

On the next day, Aco went to the Bharata Bakti Police Foundation office on Jl. Dharmawangsa where he impersonated a technician from the Mugen computer company, said the prosecutor.

The defendant also allegedly showed a letter from the computer education and development division of the national police which stated that he was assigned to repair computers at the foundation.

Aco then managed to take four computers and two printers from the office, he said.

Police arrested him three days later, said Azwar.

During police interrogation, Aco reportedly said he had sold all the computers to a buyer, identified as Dadan, for Rp 900,000.

Dadan's whereabouts are still unknown.

Azwar charged defendant Aco under articles 378, 363 (1) and 263 (2) of the Criminal Code which carries a maximum punishment of four years in jail.

Presiding Judge Hasan Mahyudin adjourned the trial until next week to hear witness testimonies. (jun)