Plant owners must build ties with locals

BOGOR (JP): Police officers urged factory owners on Friday to build better relationships with local residents to help avoid robberies from occurring at their premises.

Chief of Bogor Police detectives Capt. Budi Prasetyo cited the May 14 arrest of a gang of four robbers, including a local, believed to have been involved in a series of robberies at factories in the area.

"It showed the factories don't have a good relationship with the locals. Even a local resident is willing to help in the robberies," he said.

The gang is believed to have carried out their latest operation at the PT Adi Busana Megah Perkasa textile company in Kampung Subur of Citeureup subdistrict, making off with 11,000 leather sheets, 19 leather jackets and a roll of velvet material.

"We caught them at their respective homes in Citeureup, Bogor and Bekasi last Sunday. They were Bustomi Usman, Uhin, Ujang Kobra and Umar bin Arifin. We are still chasing six other members of the gang," he told reporters.

Budi pointed to Uhin, whose food stall was used to plan a robbery as it was located in front of the factory.

"So it's important to foster good relations with local residents," Budi added.

He said his men managed to seize some of the remaining stolen items and other evidence used in the robbery, such as ropes and machetes.

The other six gang members who are still at large include former policeman Ruslan, alias Adam, ex-military officer Surya, and four men: Hendri, Ibad, Kusnadi, alias Engos, and Lutfi. (21/nvn)