Man shot dead over stolen bike

JAKARTA (JP): Police shot a man dead Friday night for resisting arrest after allegedly stealing a motorcycle from the Jati Bening housing complex in Bekasi, West Java.

A sergeant at the Duren Sawit Police subprecinct said Abdur Rachman, 20, had been shot dead while resisting arrest.

"The suspect tried to slash a police officer with a sickle," the sergeant said Saturday.

He said Rachman, a resident of Klatik village, Demak, Central Java, had stolen a Honda Astrea motorcycle from the housing complex.

Residents had chased Rachman as he tried to escape with the stolen motorcycle, the sergeant said.

A police officer had joined the chase after a report from residents, he said. The officer had caught up with Rachman in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta.

When ordered to surrender, the suspect had tried to stab the officer, he said.

"The officer shot him in the chest and head after firing two warning shots," he said.

Rachman's body was taken to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital morgue for a post mortem examination.

At least 50 people have been shot dead by police in the city and surrounding areas this year. They were shot for resisting arrest.

Last year 46 people were shot dead by police for the same reason. (jun)