One shot dead for auto theft

JAKARTA (JP): West Jakarta Police have shot to death one man and arrested eight others believed to be members of a car theft syndicate that has been operating in the Greater Jakarta area.

West Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Andi Chaerudin said that Yusup, 32, was picked up at a hotel in Cisalak, Bogor on Monday night. He was shot after trying to resist arrest while being transported to the precinct.

The officers managed to locate Yusup's whereabouts following tips from three other suspects, Yadi, Iwan and Diman, who were apprehended last week.

"Diman is an Armed Forces member," Andi said, adding that eight Toyota Kijang vans were also confiscated from the gang members. Diman is now being detained at the West Jakarta Military District office.

Yadi and Iwan were arrested at a house in Tangerang, West Java last Thursday, while Diman was arrested on the following day at a house in Grogol, West Jakarta.

Before finding Yusup, the police had arrested four other gang members, Saman, Darya, Edi and Basir, Andi said.

Saman, Darya, Edi and Basir were picked up from their residences in Tangerang and Karawang, in Bogor and Bekasi respectively, on Saturday and Sunday.

According to Andi, the thieves used master keys to steal the cars and affixed fake police license plates on the vehicles before selling them. (jun)