Pirates rounded up in Dumai

Puji Santoso, The Jakarta Post/Dumai

After 17 days on the run, a gang of pirates was finally apprehended on Wednesday.

Dumai water police chief Insp. Ansori, said the pirates had plundered the Jackson cargo ship on Nov. 19, which was docked in Dumai port, Riau. The group of pirates stole US$600 from the ship's captain, Albertus, gashing his hands and legs.

Albertus, a Malaysian national, was taken to Pertamina Hospital in Pekanbaru for treatment after the attack.

After questioning witnesses it was discovered that one of the pirates had a tattoo on their neck and another had a lame leg.

The police finally caught six pirates in a boat in Dumai waters, who have been identified as Simanjuntak, 28, Marpaung, 25, Siregar, 24 and Andi, 31, as well as two people from the Sianipar family aged 22 and 30.

The six are residents of Jl. Purnama in Dumai.

The police seized evidence from the boat, including machetes, knives and Albertus' wallet.