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)