More suspects sought over burglary at KBN

JAKARTA (JP): The North Jakarta police are searching for at least five further suspects in connection with a series of 16 burglaries at the state-owned Kawasan Berikat Nusantara export processing zone in Cakung.

Four men, including the suspected group leader, have been arrested over the past few days, "but I wouldn't be surprised if there was connivance between the robbers and officers of the zone," North Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Edi Darnadi told The Jakarta Post yesterday.

Edi has assigned senior detectives to find out who was involved in the thefts.

A number of witnesses have been questioned in connection with the burglaries, but police have yet to find any strong indication that another party was involved.

"I think we will have to spent extra time on this case," Edi said.

According to Edi, five other members of the suspected group have been put on the police wanted list, but, he added, "we're also keeping our eyes on the possible roles of personnel of the factories in the burglaries."

At least 16 burglaries have been reported to police during the past six months within the export processing zone, in which many local and foreign firms are located.

No factory was burgled twice.

"They carried out their operation, mostly in the wee hours, in a perfect way, making it difficult for us to discover clues about their activities," Edi said.

He said that the group had stolen a variety of goods from the warehouses and plants, including various pieces of machinery.

"In their last operation, the group left the scene of the crime with a big shipping machine," Edi said. "It's not a simple task, particularly for thieves, to take such a huge item out of a plant, is it?"

"The members of this criminal operation are similar to eels, which are quite difficult to catch," Edi said, but refused to give further details.

Edi said the group sold most of the goods stolen to reliable brokers, whose names are still being withheld.

He declined to reveal whether the brokers concerned had been detained by police. (bsr)