One shot, two others nabbed for robberies

JAKARTA (JP): The city police's detectives for violent crimes fatally shot one man and arrested another two near the bustling Kampung Melayu bus terminal in East Jakarta on Thursday in connection with a series of street crimes, an officer said on Friday.

City police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Harry Montolalu told reporters that the three were part of a 10-member group suspected of committing at least 11 crimes reported to police, ranging from robberies on city buses to violence on city streets.

Harry said that two of the suspects, identified as Edy Busri and Leman Siagian, were shot under the Kampung Melayu flyover for resisting arrest at around 5 p.m.. Police apprehended the third suspect, Saleh Suntala, unchallenged.

Edy was fatally shot in the back, while Leman, the group's leader, was shot in the leg, Harry said.

City police chief of violent crimes Comr. Tagam Sinaga said the bust followed reports from the general public that violent robberies were taking place on certain buses.

Tagam said he ordered his officers to go undercover and observe passengers on public buses plying the Pulogadung-Taman Mini route in East Jakarta, and public minivans servicing the Rawamangun-Kali Malang route, also in East Jakarta.

"We had arrested a former prisoner, Salam Siagian, who had just completed his jail sentence in the Cipinang Penitentiary, for a theft. He told us about his friend, Edy Busri, who had been on the police wanted list since December," Tagam told The Jakarta Post.

Tagam quoted Salam as saying that Edy would pretend to be a passenger on certain buses.

"He would hold out a knife and threaten to stab the passenger sitting beside him. After the theft, Edy ran," said Tagam.

Edy's group of five robbers would steal for cash, jewelry and watches on buses between 7 a.m. to 10 a.m., he added.

Police, Tagam said, got hold of Edy in the Pondok Kopi area of East Jakarta, and arrested him at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Thursday.

"We were unaware that Edy has unbelievable strength. We handcuffed him, but he broke the chain of the handcuffs by pulling them apart and ended up wounding his hand. When he ran, we shot him," Tagam said, showing the broken handcuffs.

Harry added that police were still searching for the remaining seven suspects, who are reportedly hiding in the slum area of Kampung Melayu. Tagam identified the suspects as Agun, Bapau, Apung, Joy, Andri, Musa and Bandi.

The officer said the city police also arrested seven out of nine suspected car thieves in February, one of whom, Agus Edo, 35, has been in the wanted list of East Java Police for placing bombs on Christmas Eve in Mojokerto.

Agus was arrested on Feb. 12, Harry said. (ylt)