Man shot dead for killing 'ojek' driver

JAKARTA (JP): Central Jakarta Police have shot dead a man and arrested two of his accomplices for their alleged involvement in the murder of an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver in the Menteng area, an official said on Monday.

Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said that the dead man was identified as Muri, 29, a soft drinks vendor in the National Monument Park (Monas) area, who was shot on Jl. Pos Pengumben in Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta early Monday.

"Muri was shot as he resisted arrest. He even challenged the officers to fight when ordered to hand over his sickle," Iman said.

Muri was believed to have dead from bullet wounds in his left thigh and temple.

The two arrested men were identified as Japra Sihombing, 22, and Suhar bin Sumate, 17, while another suspect, identified as Pusit, managed to run away.

Iman said the four belonged to a gang of robbers specializing in stealing motorbikes from ojek drivers.

In the last two months, the group had stolen three motorbikes in the Monas area.

The gang's latest action was carried out on Jan. 31 when they allegedly killed an ojek driver named Wiyono and made away with the latter's Astrea Grand motorcycle under the Gondangdia flyover in Central Jakarta.

"Actually we never killed ojek drivers before as we only wounded our targets when taking their motorcycles. But we were forced to kill Wiyono as he screamed for help. He was stabbed in the chest," Suhar said.

The uncovering of the Muri gang came about with the arrest of Japra, a parking attendant in the Pejambon area, at his hideout in Kebayoran Baru, South Jakarta. From him police received a tip- off about Muri's and Suhar's whereabouts.

"I was scared as I never thought that Suhar would slash the driver with his sickle," Japra said. (emf)