Police arrest car thief

Police have arrested an alleged member of a prominent vehicle theft syndicate, led by an ex-Army corporal, and confiscated a total of 17 vehicles from the suspect.

Eddy, alias Alex, in his 30s, was nabbed at around 3:30 a.m. Sunday at a dangdut dance arena in Pesing, West Jakarta.

"He has been at the top of the most wanted persons list," an officer at the Vehicle Theft Unit of the City Police Crime Investigation Unit said here Tuesday.

Two of Eddy's friends, excluding the ex-corporal, are still at large, said the officer, who refused to be identified.

The ex-Army corporal, identified as Zaini, has been widely known as a leader of the group. Zaini was fired from his squad for alleged involvement in a series of vehicle thefts. (bsr)