Lawyer reports mysterious series of events

JAKARTA (JP): A lawyer residing in Ciputat, South Jakarta reported to the police on Wednesday two strange thefts and an incident he experienced in the past three days.

What perplexed lawyer Bondan Pitoyo, 42, was a cross drawn in chalk on the lower outside of the front door of his residence. The cross was allegedly drawn by the suspect after committing each of the crimes, head of the South Jakarta Police detectives, Maj. Rycko Amelza Daniel, said.

The first case took place on Monday when Bondan learned that his cell phone was missing at his residence at Jl. Flamboyan No. 1 in the Sawah Lama area of Ciputat.

"Nothing in his house, including the TV set, video recorder and others, were touched. When he left his house, he spotted the first cross on the front door," officer Rycko said.

The following day, a briefcase containing his passport and several documents relating to cases he is handling were missing from his living room table.

"He said he was about to leave for work, had placed his laptop computer and briefcase on the table and went to his bedroom for a while.

When he returned, he found the briefcase had disappeared. Again there was another cross mark on his door," the officer said.

Bondan reported the odd incidents to the South Jakarta Police precinct shortly after he found two tires of his 520-I Series BMW sedan had been deliberately punctured.

"This time he saw several cross marks on the front door," Rycko said.

The officer explained that Bondan suspected the incidents could have something to do with his parents' will, which had caused a rift lately between Bondan's brother and himself.

"Still, we have to check," Rycko said, adding that his personnel were confused why Bondan reported the case only after the third crime.

"We still have to question him as to why he waited two days to report the thefts. About his parents' will, he said that even though both he and his brother were very rich themselves, the will would leave them a sum of Rp 3 billion in land and cash," Rycko said.

"I suspect that it could be something connected with the case or cases Bondan is handling. He only said a few things about that matter. Let's see." he said.

Bondan, his brother and other relatives could not be reached for comment. (ylt)