Motorcycle thefts foiled

JAKARTA (JP): Two attempted motorcycle thefts took place in separate locations in West Jakarta and North Jakarta using similar modus operandi in the early hours of Thursday, police reports said on Friday.

The perpetrators, riding on motorcycles, drew alongside the victims' motorcycles and pointed a gun.

The first incident in West Jakarta took place at midnight when motorcyclist Rafi'i Adri Chandra, 18 and his unidentified friend passed over the Asemka flyover in Pinangsia area.

"A motorcycle carrying two people approached Rafi'i and his friend and when they got next to their victims, one of the crooks pulled out a pistol and pointed it at Rafi'i and his friend," the report said.

Upon seeing his life threatened, Rafi'i's friend tried to snatch the pistol, which unexpectedly blew up.

"Rafi'i's friend was injured and the crooks ran away," the report said.

Two hours later at around 2 a.m., a similar incident, also unsuccessful, took place in the South Danau Sunter area of North Jakarta. The victim was identified as Suhadi, 32 a resident of Jl. Pemadam in West Semper. (emf)