Man arrested for stealing car

JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested a man for allegedly stealing a Kijang van in the parking lot in front of shipping company PT Pelni at Tanjung Priok harbor, North Jakarta, on Friday.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang said the suspect, identified as Yani, 31, stole the van as soon as it was left by the owner, Andi Nurul, at 9:30 a.m.

"The owner, who just left the vehicle for about 15 minutes, shouted for help as he saw the van being driven out of the parking lot," Aritonang said.

Failing to stop the van, Andi quickly reported the theft at the nearby police station.

A police team was deployed to hunt down the thief and managed to arrest Yani, a resident of Jl. Mahoni in North Jakarta soon after that, he said.

Yani, who tried to evade arrest by speeding away, was finally blocked while still in the harbor area, he said.

Police found a master key, which was believed to have been used to open the van's door, he said. (jun)