Military members arrested for stealing cows in Kupang

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Police in East Nusa Tenggara (NTT) said on Monday they arrested at least seven armed military (TNI) personnel for stealing six cows belonging to residents in Sulamu village, some 100 kilometers from the provincial capital of Kupang.

NTT Police Chief Brig. Gen. Jacky Uly said the soldiers were caught "red-handed" on Sunday, along with seven civilian suspects, by members of the Kupang district police and the provincial Mobile Brigade (Brimob).

The seven accused soldiers were later turned over to the local Military Police for investigation, he was quoted by Antara as saying in Kupang.

Jacky said the police confiscated four SS1 firearms, 47 bullets and 12 magazines from the suspects. Also seized as evidence were the six stolen cows, which had been shot.

The seven TNI members included group commander First Lt. A.H. and six of his subordinates belonging to the Yonif 743/Pradnya Samapta Yudha unit based in Kupang.

The seven civilian suspects are being detained at the Kupang police station for investigation, Jacky said.

Kupang Military Police chief Maj. Subur Pambudi was quoted by Antara as confirming that his office is questioning the seven soldiers on charges of theft.

"We have detained them as suspects in a crime of theft using firearms. We have also gathered evidence of their involvement in the crime," he said.

Subur said the suspects, however, denied any wrongdoing and instead claimed they were just out hunting for animals or wild cows in Sulamu village.

Kupang's Wirasakti Military Chief Col. Moeswarno Moesanip expressed regret over the arrest of his soldiers. "They have made a serious mistake amid efforts by military leaders to recover the tarnished image of the Indonesian Military among the public."

Moesanip said he does not rule out the possibility of removing the troops from the military should they be found guilty of stealing the cows.

Subur further pledged to take the men to the military court of justice, and that they could be dishonorably discharged from the military before their trial begins.