One arrested over murder

One arrested over murder

JAKARTA (JP): Bogor Police arrested on Saturday one of two men
allegedly connected with a vicious murder of a peddler whose body
was found late last month in the fields of the Gobang area in the
Cidokom village of Rumpin.

Bogor Police chief Col. Ade Husen Kartadipura identified the
arrested suspect on Tuesday as Ujang Winata, 34, and the suspect
still at large as Naca, 33.

The victim was identified as Jamaluddin, 33, a peddler whose
throat was slashed with an ax on March 28. The victim had once
accused the suspects of having worked together with men who
allegedly possessed black magic powers, Ade said.

"Gobang residents found Jamaluddin's body floating in the
flooded fields about 200 meters from the homes of Naca and Ujang.
They immediately reported the find to the Bogor Police," Ade told
reporters.

"We raided Ujang's home in Gobang village, arrested him, and
confiscated an ax from the house, which was the murder weapon
used, and Jamaluddin's motorcycle, a Yamaha RX Special with
registration number B 3302 MU."

Ade said police raided Naca's home as well, but Naca escaped
despite receiving a shot in the leg.

He said Jamaluddin had lost his Toyota Kijang van in Sept.
1999 and was desperate to find it. Ujang offered to help
Jamaluddin find an orang pintar (psychic), who could help locate
the van.

Ujang introduced Jamaluddin to a 70-year-old man named
Mustofa, a resident of Cibodas village in Rumpin.

"Ujang told the victim that Mustofa's services were worth Rp 6
million (US$800)," Ade said.

Jamaluddin said he would pay the amount as long as he could
get the van back.

"Seven months passed, and there was no sign of the van. In
frustration, Jamaluddin accused Ujang of collaborating with
Mustofa to fool him," Ade said.

Ujang became angered and told the story to Naca, and both men
allegedly plotted to kill Jamaluddin, Ade said.

On March 28, Ujang asked Jamaluddin to accompany him to visit
Naca's sick parent. Jamaluddin agreed and with his motorcycle
both men drove toward Naca's home in Gobang village.

"When they neared the Gobang fields, Naca jumped out, and
slashed Jamaluddin's throat. The two suspects then threw the body
in the fields," Ade said. (21/ylt)