One more arrested in Rp 5b heist

JAKARTA (JP): Police have arrested another suspect involved in a 1995 robbery at a watch shop in Ratu Plaza shopping center, South Jakarta, a police officer said Saturday.

The officer, who asked for anonymity, said the alleged suspect was actually the brother of the alleged mastermind behind the robbery, Edy Cai Nam Sui, who was arrested earlier last week.

The new suspect, Hendry, was arrested at his home at the Green Garden housing estate, West Jakarta, on Thursday, just two days after police captured Edy in Pontianak, West Kalimantan.

Police said Edy and accomplices had robbed the Sarida watch shop in Ratu Plaza in April 1995 and made away with 60 expensive watches.

The owner of Sarida estimated the robbery had caused a financial loss of around Rp 5 billion (US$2.04 million).

Police said that Edy was the leader and architect of the robbery, while Hendry was the buyer of the stolen watches.

Hendry bought the stolen watches for Rp 300 million from his brother Edy.

Hendry told police he sold some of the watches at a lower price at his shop in West Jakarta, the officer said.

Hendry also sold some of the stolen watches in various countries, including France, Taiwan and Switzerland, and made around Rp 2 billion.

Hendry had spent the money with Edy and other accomplices. He said there was around Rp 3.5 million left in a bank account in Jakarta.

Sarida's owner, who asked for anonymity, said that Hendry was actually a former business partner who owed a great deal of money. (cst)