Jakarta jolted by 3 armed robberies

JAKARTA (JP): Three burglaries took place in Central Jakarta and East Jakarta yesterday.

Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. M. Ibrahim said the first robbery took place at an office on Jl. Bendungan Jati, Bendungan Hilir, while another was at a house on Jl. Jamrut Raya, Kemayoran.

He said four men entered PT Tiga Tirta's office at 6:30 a.m. asking for the address of the office's cleaning lady, Sumiyem, 20.

The suspects pulled out swords as they entered the office and told the two employees to lay on the floor. They then cut the telephone cables and used them to tie up the employees, he said.

The suspects stole Rp 2.8 million (US$1,176), three computers, cameras, tape recorders, and wristwatches worth Rp 20 million. "The suspects then escaped by a Kijang van."

Ibrahim said the second burglary occurred at 9 a.m. at a house belonging to Azizah, on Jl. Jamrut Raya.

Four unidentified people went to the house and asked Azizah's daughter to call her mother, he said.

When Azizah showed up, the suspects produced sickles, while one of them pointed a gun at the woman.

"Azizah's nephew, Herman, was stabbed in the chest when he tried to fight the criminals," Ibrahim said. He was treated at hospital for his injuries.

Azizah then shouted; "There is a police officer upstairs", at which the robbers fled.

The last burglary took place in a shop on Jl. Rawa Bambu, Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, at 1 p.m.

Duren Sawit Police Detectives Chief First. Lt. Bambang Adi Purwanto said five men held up the shop.

"One of the suspects thrust a sickle at the shop owner, Mahmuzon, who was trying to find small change," Bambang said.

Another suspect tied up Mahmuzon, 39, his wife, Salamah, 35, and a brother, Abdul Malik, 25.

The suspects escaped by Kijang van with Rp 10.4 million and 115 grams of gold jewelry, he said.

The police are still hunting for the suspects of each robbery. (jun/04)