Motorcycle thief shot dead

JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead a man yesterday and arrested his friend for allegedly stealing a motorcycle on Jl. Tabanas Simponi, Kelapa Gading, North Jakarta.

North Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Rismawan said M. Syafei, 24, was shot in the back and left leg while his friend, Nurdin was shot in the leg. Syafei died instantly.

"The two men tried to steal a motorcycle in front of a rice stall. But the owner noticed them and shouted for help. They fled on their motorcycle," Rismawan said.

Two police officers who were in the stall chased the suspects by motorcycle, he said.

He said the officers rammed them with their motorcycle. "The suspects fell and tried to escape. The officers then shot them after their warning shots were ignored."

He said Syafei lived on Jl. Pegangsaan, Kelapa Gading, and Nurdin is a resident of Jl. Bantar Jaya in Bogor, West Java. (jun)