Police arrest bombing suspect in Bekasi

JAKARTA: The city police arrested on Tuesday a suspect in a series of bombings in Jakarta. The suspect, identified as Ramli, was arrested at his home in the Cikarang industrial area in Bekasi, West Java.

After the arrest, National Police chief Gen. Da'i Bachtiar, accompanied by Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanegara, inspected Ramli's home and the surrounding area.

Police found in the suspect's residence about 30,000 bullets, two long-barreled rifles and three short-barreled rifles.

"According to our investigation, Ramli is a former military soldier with the rank of private who was dismissed from his unit," Da'i said.

The general said the police made the arrest following an intensive investigation into a recent series of bombings.

"He (the suspect) has just arrived from Thailand. Ramli said he was on vacation, but we're still investigating his activities while abroad. He went abroad using a fake passport and identity," Da'i said as quoted by Antara.

He added that Ramli was very mobile, which complicated the police's efforts to locate him.

According to Makbul, the suspect is related to Tgk. Ismuhadi, who was a suspect in the bombing of the Jakarta Stock Exchange Building.--JP