Oops, wrong target, man

BANDUNG (JP): Erie Satria lost his nerve and physical strength altogether yesterday on realizing that the woman he threatened at toy-gunpoint in a busy street was in fact an undercover police officer.

The skinny 23-year-old man had to spend a restless night at the city police headquarters last night after he was easily overpowered by his would-be victim, Second Lt. Fatimah Noer.

Fatimah's driver, Adma, said Erie suddenly stopped his motorcycle in front of Fatimah's van and pointed his "gun" at the policewoman who obediently got out of the vehicle.

But when she was sure his gun was only a toy, she swept Erie off his feet and arrested him, he said.

The man made no demands during the holdup, but he did curse. "He incessantly hurled dirty words at her until he realized that his would-be victim was a cop," Adma said.

Fatimah said she did not need handcuffs to restrain Erie because he obediently lay facedown with his hands behind his back on her van floor and shut up upon realizing what was happening. (17/pan)