Man shot dead after snatching necklace

JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead a man for allegedly resisting arrest late Tuesday after he was caught snatching a gold necklace from a woman at Pulogadung Bus Terminal in East Jakarta.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said on Wednesday the man was identified as Erwin Parasihan Pakpahan, allegedly a known hoodlum at the capital's biggest bus terminal.

Law enforcers have shot 27 convicted or suspected criminals so far this year.

Lubis said Erwin was shot twice in the head and right side of his chest.

"The suspect was shot after he posed as a minivan passenger to rob a female passenger, named Suniah, 35, on the public vehicle," Lubis said.

They were the only passengers on the minivan which plied the Pulogadung-Rawa Kuning route.

When the minivan approached the bus terminal at about 7:45 p.m., Erwin pulled out a small knife from his jacket and threatened Suniah.

"Erwin then snatched the victim's necklace," Lubis said.

Suniah and the driver immediately began shouting for help before Erwin alighted from the vehicle.

Police officers at the bus terminal surrounded Erwin but Lubis said the man challenged the officers.

"He didn't abide by the officers' order to throw down his knife. He kept it in his hand, ready to hurt anybody who came close to him."

Officers fired three warning shots into the air before shooting directly at Erwin's body.

His corpse was sent to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital in Central Jakarta for autopsy. Police returned the gold necklace to Suniah. (emf)