Man nabbed for coin theft

BOGOR (JP): A security guard apprehended on Monday a man for allegedly stealing money from a telephone box at the Indonesian Red Cross (PMI) General Hospital.

Bogor Police seized Rp 52,000 in coins from the suspect, identified as 19-year old Danang Prasetyo from Mekarsari village in Cimanggis district.

The security guard, Wardi, said he was on duty in front of the hospital's emergency unit at about 3 a.m. when a woman approached him and began a conversation, while Danang went to the telephone box.

"I was suspicious of the man as I saw him doing something with the telephone box that did not appear normal.

"When I went over to him, he had taken coins out of the telephone box and was trying to take money from another box using a key-like tool," Wardi said.

Danang later told the police that the tool, which can be used without damaging the box, had been given to him by a friend, Indra, who lives in Bandung. He said he had previously made three theft attempts, but to no avail.

Wardi said Danang surrendered without challenge, but the woman, who was later identified as Lidia, fled the scene. (21/01)