Mob attacks three Metro Minis

JAKARTA (JP): Galur residents in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, vandalized three Metro Mini public minibuses on Wednesday evening after another minibus ran over a local in the morning, police said on Thursday.

"The incident happened at about 7:45 p.m. when some 100 angry residents damaged three passing minibuses serving the route of Tanjung Priok in North Jakarta to Kemayoran in Central Jakarta," city police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri said.

Separately, Kemayoran Police substation chief Maj. Sudjono said the residents became enraged after learning that another minibus plying the same route hit Adriansyah, 26, a local resident, who was chasing a suspected thief with other residents when he was run over.

Both Adriansyah and the suspected thief, later beaten by the mob, were rushed to the nearby Islamic Hospital.

Later in the day, local residents then smashed the windows of the three Metro Minis.

"Local police officers rushed to the scene to secure the area and ordered the angry residents to leave the site," Sudjono said.

Drivers of Metro Mini minibuses have earned a reputation of being reckless drivers. The capital has witnessed scores of minibuses damaged and torched by mobs for similar reasons. (06/nvn)