More loot returned in W. Jakarta

More loot returned in W. Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): The West Jakarta military district handed over
to the West Jakarta mayoralty Wednesday more goods it had
confiscated from looters during the recent riots.

Five televisions, two diesel engines, 27 tires and Rp 7.32
million in cash were presented by military district commander Lt.
Col. Amril Amir to Mayor H. Soetardjianto.

Amril said that the booty, whose owners had not been
identified, were taken from shopping centers and private
residences during the unrest, Antara reported.

He said that 557 alleged looters and two trucks of stolen
property were being held at the West Jakarta police station
pending further investigation.

Both Amril and Soetardjianto urged the people who took part in
looting spree to return the goods to local subdistrict officials.

Soetardjianto said that looters who gave up their booty
voluntarily would not be prosecuted.

He also said that he would apply stern measures against his
officials who stole the returned goods and failed to pass them on
to the rightful owners.

"They should not try to pinch those things, I will take
punitive measure against them. If necessary, I'll not hesitate to
fire them."

The mayor said that victims of the looting who wanted to check
if their stolen possessions had been returned should take
recommendation letters to the mayoralty office from their local
neighborhood chief.

Soetardjianto said that of the 2,000 electronic goods and home
appliances submitted to the local administration, 1,000 had been
recovered by the owners. (ivy)