Police and residents catch taxi robbers

JAKARTA (JP): Police with the help of local residents arrested four men for robbing two President taxi drivers in North Jakarta and West Jakarta yesterday.

City Police Spokesman Maj. Nyoman Suriasta said Karyono, 19, was arrested in North Jakarta for allegedly robbing driver Taman, 26.

Karyono stopped a taxi on Jl. Cakung and asked to go to Jl. Raya Cilincing, he said.

"The suspect pointed a pistol at Taman and demanded the driver's wallet which contained Rp 60,000 (US$25.75)," he said.

He said Taman reported the robbery to the Cilincing police sub-precinct as the suspect escaped.

Cilincing Police Chief Capt. Slamet Riyanto said his officers contacted local volunteers, working in security posts, to watch out for Karyono.

The volunteers caught Karyono on Jl. Kalibaru, Slamet said.

"We found a toy gun. We also seized the money," he said.

Slamet said Cilincing police set up the volunteer security posts, which have radio telecommunication equipment, last week in an effort to reduce crime.

Meanwhile, West Jakarta police arrested Edward, 20, Joko, 18, and Apid Jayadi, 17, for robbing taxi driver Ngadinar, 51.

The suspects stopped a president taxi on Jl. Pasar Senen, Central Jakarta and asked to go to Grogol, West Jakarta, mayoralty Police Chief Lt. Col. Andi Chaeruddin said.

"One of the suspects stabbed Ngadinar with a knife and asked for his wallet which contained Rp 30,000. They then escaped," he said.

Local residents who saw the robbery surrounded and caught the suspects but one, identified as Karel, escaped.

There have been 26 taxi driver robberies over the last three months, and the robbers have been caught in only 16. (jun)