More mobile phone thefts in buses

JAKARTA: Many commuters of air-conditioned buses traveling between Jakarta and Tangerang have complained that their mobile phones were stolen during the journey.

Most of the victims were women, who used their phone on the bus.

Some of them related that the thieves got onto the bus from the Lippo Karawaci area and Kebon Nanas.

The thefts often occurred in buses from Senen, Central Jakarta; Blok M, South Jakarta; or Kampung Rambutan and Kampung Melayu, East Jakarta, heading to Cimone bus terminal in Tangerang, Antara reported Saturday.

"When I was on my way home, on the bus traveling from Blok M to Cimone, I lost my mobile phone," said Yani Komara, 23, a resident of Cimone Mas Permai housing estate.

When she told the story to the bus driver, he asked her to be careful because he said there were many pickpockets operating on buses.

Another victim, Rosa Ambariah, 26, said she lost her mobile phone in the bus traveling between Senen and Cimone.

"My friend who lives in Perumnas housing estate on Jl. Beringin, Tangerang, even said that a man opened her bag to take her mobile phone while threatening her with a knife," she said.

She added that the robbers operated in a group of about five people.--JP