Japanese robbed in Lapangan Banteng

Japanese robbed in Lapangan Banteng

JAKARTA (JP): Two armed robberies took place in Central
Jakarta and Tangerang early on Saturday, a police report said.

No fatalities were reported although both gangs were armed
with sharp weapons.

According to the report, the victim in the Central Jakarta
case was a 60-year-old Japanese, identified as Dojin Mukada.

It said that Mukada, with a man called Mardiansyah, was
driving in a car on Jl. Lapangan Banteng Utara at around 1 a.m.
on Saturday when they were suddenly approached a gang of three
men armed with knives.

The area has been widely known as a popular night time hangout
for gigolos and gays.

To the local police, Mardiansyah said one of the crooks, later
identified as M. Roni, pointed his knife towards the Japanese and
asked him to hand over his wristwatch and shoes, all worth around
Rp 3 million.

The hold-up, however, was spotted by a patrolling police
officer, who then rushed to the scene and managed to handcuff all
three street bandits.

In Tangerang, a group of six men armed with sharp weapons
broke into a house in Tanah Tinggi area.

The only person in the house, Nendah, 37, being threatened
with the weapons, let the robbers to take away a television set
and a radio cassette player.

Local police detectives are still probing the robbery that
cost Nendah a loss of Rp 1.5 million. (06)