Passengers rob taxi drivers in two separate incidents

JAKARTA (JP): Two taxi drivers were wounded, one severely, in separate robberies in East and South Jakarta over the last two days, city police spokesman Lt. Col. Edward Aritonang said on Thursday.

The victim who was severely wounded was identified as Hendro Susilo, a Gamya taxi driver, while the other victim, a driver for Batavia taxi, had been identified as Marjuki, Aritonang said.

"The robbers reportedly dumped the two wounded drivers in quiet places before fleeing in the taxies," he said.

Hendro is now being treated at Indonesian Christian University Hospital in East Jakarta for severe wounds to his hands and neck.

One of the hospital's nurses said that Hendro was still being treated in the intensive care unit and was not allowed visitors.

Hendro was dumped on Jl. Raya Bogor in East Jakarta by his two attackers.

Motorists and local residents discovered him at around 1:20 a.m., Aritonang said, adding that it was unknown in which part of the city Hendro picked up the robbers.

Separately, in Wednesday's robbery, Marjuki was robbed on the Pondok Pinang toll road in South Jakarta by three men who were armed with sharp weapons.

Marjuki suffered light injuries and was discharged from a hospital in the Lebak Bulus area soon after receiving medical treatment.

"The robbers wounded him (Marjuki) with a sickle and a knife before abandoning him at the toll road exit in Lebak Bulus," Aritonang said.

Aritonang quoted Marjuki as saying that the three men stopped him at a junction on Jl. Cilandak Raya in South Jakarta at around 3 a.m.

After reaching an agreement on the fare for the Jakarta to Bandung trip, the three entered the taxi.

"Marjuki then drove to the Pondok Pinang toll road as requested by the passengers," he added.

One of the three robbers sat in the front seat, while the other two sat in the back seat.

However, one of the suspects in the back seat suddenly pulled Marjuki's hair, while the other two men pulled out their weapons and pointed them at Marjuki's head and stomach.

Marjuki told the police that one of the robbers calmly talked to him, saying, "Don't do anything curious that might attract motorists. Just drive at a normal speed so we won't have to hurt you."

After taking Marjuki's wallet, which contained Rp 200,000 (US$26) in cash, the robbers stole the taxi.

"After getting what they wanted, they kicked the shocked Marjuki out of the car," Aritonang said.

At least two taxi drivers were killed in similar incidents over the last six months. (emf)