Kidnapers arrested

JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested four men yesterday for allegedly kidnapping a man believed to be an Ecstasy seller on Jl. Kebon Jahe, in Central Jakarta.

City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said that the police apprehended four of the six suspected kidnappers; Ersan alias Tony, Kim Hong, Antonius, and Ayung.

"Two men, Ahong and Ahay, are still at large," Iman said.

He said the six men kidnapped Victor on Monday, on Jl. Kampung Bebek, West Jakarta.

Ersan, one of the abductors, said that he had paid Victor, through Ahay, Rp 29 million (US$12,340) for 700 ecstasy pills, he said.

"But in a preliminary interrogation, Victor denied having received the money from Ahay," he said.

The men asked Victor to pay back Ersan's money since Victor was not able to provide the pills, he said.

Three men, Kim Hong, Antonius and Ayung, then took Victor to his house on Jl. Kebon Jahe, he added.

Victor, who was being threatened, gave Rp 13.5 million to the kidnappers, Iman said.

The men who were not satisfied, then seized two cars belonging to Victor's brother.

Victor's brother, Darmajaya, who learned of the incident reported it to the police.

The police went straight to the scene of the crime and arrested Kim Hong, Antonius, and Ayung while Ersan was apprehended in a hotel on Jl. Teluk Gong, in North Jakarta. (jun)