Man beaten for robbing Japanese

Dozens of angry people beat a man who was caught trying to rob a Japanese national in front of the Chase Plaza building on Jl. Jendral Sudirman Saturday afternoon.

Witnesses quoted by Antara news agency said the Japanese, along with two friends, was going to get into a taxi when the man, whose identity was withheld by police, rushed from behind and tried to grab the bag of his victim.

Luckily, the Japanese, with the help of his friends, could defend the bag, which contained credit cards and cash worth around Rp 1 million (US$465) and 50,000 yen ($480).

Scores of passersby and commuters, who rushed to help the three foreigners, landed jabs on the thief.

The thief was then taken to the office of the Chase Plaza building security guards, who later handed over the suspect to the Setiabudi police subprecinct. (bsr)