Murder suspect arrested in Bogor

BOGOR (JP): Bogor Police arrested on Wednesday a man identified as Edward for the murder of Himawan Sukmantoro, 37, an officer said on Wednesday.

"The suspect admitted the killing was carried out with the assistance of two of his friends, who are still at large," Bogor Police chief Col. Edi Darnadi said.

He said the victim's family filed a report with the police two weeks ago after Himawan failed to return home for three days.

"Before leaving home on Dec. 12, the victim said he would visit his friend Sansan," said Edi, adding that the victim was last seen driving a Feroza jeep.

Edi said Himawan's family contacted Sansan after the victim failed to return home. "But the victim was not there."

He said the victim's family then filed a missing person's report with the police.

Edi said while conducting a regular sweep on Dec. 20 in East Bogor to nab drug users, police arrested the murder suspect.

"The police stopped a Feroza jeep driven by the suspect and seized the vehicle after the suspect could not show police its documents," he said.

Edi said the police, who suspected the car belonged to Himawan, had the victim's family identify the vehicle.

"The victim's family was sure that the jeep was the victim's, although the suspect had changed its registration number," he said.

Police arrested the suspect soon after the victim's family identified the vehicle, Edi said.

He said the suspect eventually admitted to the murder, which took place in Hotel Amalia in Puncak, West Java, on Friday last week.

"Assisted by his two friends, the suspect choked the victim to death," he said.

Edi said both the suspect and the victim were homosexual and police were looking into the possibility that a love affair was behind the murder.

"Gays are known for their faithfulness to their partners. Once a partner betrays him, he will kill the partner." (24/asa)