Killer of Malaysian couple shot dead

TANGERANG: Tangerang police detectives shot dead two suspected criminals, including one who allegedly murdered a Malaysian couple, at separate places here late on Monday.

Police detective's deputy chief Insp. Kustanto identified the dead men as Sarifudin alias Aceng 24, a resident of Bengkok village, Tangerang, and Safei alias Piut, 30, a resident of Pademangan district, Ancol, North Jakarta, and said they were shot as they tried to escape.

Safei was said to be the leader of a gang of robbers who robbed and killed a Malaysian couple, William and his wife. The gang also raped William's wife before murdering her, Kusnanto said.

The gang robbed the couple as they were driving a BMW along the Soekarno-Hatta International Airport toll road in 2000.

Safei's gang also allegedly robbed a Blue Bird Taxi in Grogol, West Jakarta, and then killed the driver before disposing of his body in Serang, Banten.

Sarifudin and his gang conducted robberies at various places including the Citra Raya housing complex in Cikupa in 1999, in Sumur Badung, Balaraja, in 2000 and in Merak village early in 2002.--JP