Military officer arrested over theft

JAKARTA (JP): Angry residents and Duren Sawit police handed over a military officer on Thursday night to the Jakarta Military Police Headquarters after he was caught stealing a motorcycle in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta.

East Jakarta police chief of detectives Adj. Comr. Agus Irianto identified the military officer as Second. Corp. Lamsirah, from a health battalion of the Indonesian Military (TNI).

"He was badly beaten by angry residents, who were ready to burn him alive. They were stopped by Duren Sawit police officers, who arrived on time. The man was rescued from the residents, and then handed over to Jakarta Military Police headquarters."

Agus said that Lamsirah, who comes from Bogor, was attempting to steal the motorcycle with his friend on Thursday at about 9 p.m. but was caught by a parking attendant.

The friend escaped. (ylt)