Murder suspect arrested in Bogor

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)