Jagorawi murder victim allegedly involved in robbery

BOGOR (JP): A hearing on the Jagorawi tollway robbery and murder case yesterday revealed the astonishing possibility that the victim himself could have been involved in the crime.

The defendant, Heri Fasial alias Hendrik, told the Bogor District Court that the victim, treasurer Zaenuddin Lesmana who was shot to death on Oct. 11 last year, helped plan the robbery.

But instead of a toy gun being used in the robbery as planned, Hendrik said a real gun was used.

Hendrik said he and another defendant, Erling Doly Wijaya alias Mikel, planned the crime with Budiarto and another man, Iskandar.

The robbery, Hendrik said, was planned a day before it happened, at a hotel in the Puncak mountain resort.

Hendrik said the plan was to steal Rp 600 million from Zaenuddin, who was working in land appropriation service.

An earlier hearing revealed that the victim and defendants were involved in the same business under businessman Idfiel Jaya Anwar. Idfiel had earlier been accused of being the mastermind of the crime.

On Oct. 11 Zaenuddin withdrew Rp 600 million from state-owned BRI bank in Bogor supposedly to be used for land appropriation.

Hendrik said, "Mikel and his friends were to get Rp 300 million while the remaining Rp 300 million was for a certain person." He said Mikel informed him later this person would be Zaenuddin.

Hendrik said he first refused to be involved. "But Mikel kept convincing me the robbery was only a play ... and because I needed the cash I agreed to join in."

Hendrik said the equipment for the robbery was prepared at the hotel and included a toy gun, a machete to smash a car window and tape to tie up the victim.

Hendrik said the robbery went as planned when he followed Zaenuddin's Hyundai sedan from the bank.

On the Jagorawi toll road, he said Budiarto, who was with him in a Kijang van, fired three shots. When the van caught up with the Hyundai, Hendrik said he panicked when he saw Zaenuddin's body fall out of the car when the door opened.

After Hendrik and Budiarto took one bag containing part of the money from the bank, he said they then fled toward Cimanggis.

He said the money was then divided: Budiarto got Rp 80 million, Hendrik got Rp 54 million, Iskandar Rp 54 million and Mikel Rp 128 million.

Hendrik then said he made an appointment to meet Mikel in the Bumi Serpong Damai housing complex, Tangerang.

He said Mikel was angry to learn Zaenuddin had been shot.

Mikel confirmed the testimony except for the amount of money Hendrik took to Serpong.

Hendrik corrected his testimony, saying he got Rp 50 million which was divided with Mikel and Iskandar. Budiarto took the rest, he said. (24/anr)