Officer latest victim of brazen daylight robbery

Officer latest victim of brazen daylight robbery

JAKARTA (JP): Criminals have apparently grown more brazen in their operations, with an Army officer being the latest target.

A group of criminals broke into a Kijang van belonging an Army member, identified as Lt. Col. Bambang Kusnandar, in Jagakarsa area, South Jakarta, in broad daylight on Saturday. The car bore Armed Forces license plate B 1227 BD.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis confirmed the incident, saying the robbery took place at about 2 p.m.

The robbers made away with a Colt .22 pistol, two mobile phones, an Armed Forces identification card, three credit cards and a presidential security pin, he said.

Lubis said all the items had been left by its owner in a small leather bag inside the van, which was parked on Jl. Srengseng Sawah.

It seems the robbers were convinced that the situation was secure and that there were no witnesses about, he said.

"South Jakarta Police are working on the case because it is suspected the robbers are local people who really know the situation," Lubis said.

Also on Saturday, a vegetable trader was attacked by robbers in Bekasi, Lubis said.

Police identified the Setu market trader as Lamun, 55, and his son as Sartibi, 29. Lamun sustained a serious head wound during the robbery.

Lubis said the incident took place at 11:30 p.m.

"The gang of six robbers broke into the house of Sartibi through the back door," Lubis said.

After entering the house, they pointed sharp weapons at Sartibi and took Rp 1.5 million from a cupboard. There were no details about the condition of Sartibi's family members. The robbers left Sartibi unharmed.

Before the robbers had left the scene, Lamun, who lives next door, rushed to his son's home after hearing loud noises. He challenged the robbers to fight him one by one.

The robbers then beat and slashed the unarmed Lamun on the head with a machete.

One of the robbers fired two shots into the air before running away, Lubis quoted witnesses as saying.

Lamun is being treated at Karya Medika Hospital in Cibitung, Bekasi.

As of Sunday afternoon, a nurse at the hospital said Lamun was being treated in the intensive care unit and was still in a critical condition.

When contacted at the hospital, one of Lamun's other sons said what happened was purely a robbery.

The man, who decline to be named, would not give details about the incident, saying he was afraid that if he did his family would be the next target.

"I'm sorry I cannot give a detailed story. The situation is unfavorable for my family," he said. (emf)