Motorist robbed of Rp 39 million

JAKARTA (JP): A Bekasi businessman driving alone in his Kijang van with Rp 39 million in cash strapped to his body experienced his nightmare this year when a group of seven men stopped his car and forced him to hand over all his money.

Maman Mardjuki, 39, of Ujung Harapan village, Babelan district, told local police that he was on his way home early Wednesday morning when the group, driving the same make of car, blocked his way at the Jakarta-Cikampek-Cibitung-Bekasi intersection.

"The driver got out and said I had hit his car and scratched it," Maman told police.

Thinking he had done nothing wrong, Maman also got out of his car to look at the supposed damage.

"Shortly after I stepped out, the men pulled out their machetes and forced me to get into their car," he recalled.

According to Mamad, he was then driven away by the men, who tied his hands, blindfolded him, and took the money he had kept strapped around his belly.

The bandits dumped Mamad, still bound with rope, beside a road in Tambun, also in Bekasi.

After being found by passers-by, he rushed to the police station to report the incident.

Mamad, however, admitted that he did not see the car's license plate and could not give a description of his malefactors.

Police said they are still investigating the case. (bsr)