Passengers rob taxi drivers in two separate incidents

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)