Phony cop arrested

The East Jakarta district military command yesterday arrested a phony policeman who extorted money from ojek (motorcycle-taxi) drivers operating around the Kampung Melayu bus terminal and Jatinegara.

East Jakarta district military commander Lt. Col. Tri Tamtomo told reporters here that the impostor, identified as Nopiandi, 18, was nabbed by his men following reports from several ojek drivers.

He said, Nopiandi, who wore a police uniform with the rank of Second Sergeant, extorted money from ojek drivers whose motorcycles were not covered with the necessary documents.

Tamtomo said Nopiandi threatened to drag them to the police headquarters and have their motorcycles impounded without due legal process.

But his actions made the ojek drivers suspicious because his behavior gave the impression that he was either under the influence of liquor or was high on drugs. They then reported to the East Jakarta district military commander who immediately sent his men to the scene. The military men had no difficulty in nabbing the suspect as he didn't make any effort to resist arrest.

Tamtomo said that during questioning Nopiandi confessed to extorting money from several ojek drivers.

"He said he used his brother's uniform. His brother happened not to be on duty that day," he explained.

Before wearing the uniform he also admitted that he got plastered by drinking excessive amounts of liquor and taking three pills of prescription drug categorized under G category which is locally known as Pill BK, the military chief said. (bas)