Police arrest detested, evil miscreants

Police arrest detested, evil miscreants

JAKARTA (JP) The Central Jakarta police have arrested six
members of the most notorious burglary ring in the city, whose
signature method of theft involved burrowing, rat-like, into the
heart of their targeted buildings.

Maj. Charles Marpaung, head of the Central Jakarta crime
investigation unit, told reporters yesterday that the
subterranean recidivists, sought for nearly two-years, were
arrested early this week.

"We nabbed them at a slum in Teluk Gong in North Jakarta where
the group lived and disguised as poor people, whereas they have
hundreds of million rupiahs on their hands due to the success of
their many operations," he said.

During the raid, the police team arrested Kasbi, 38, the
hardened ex-con who led the gang.

Along with Kasbi, Yanto, Joni, Ridwan, Cholik and Buntaro were
arrested.

"Three others are still at large, but their identities are
already in our hands," Charles said.

On the groups grime besmeared hands was the burglary of the
Melawai optical center and a camera shop at the Blok M shopping
center in South Jakarta. Their take included 400 pairs of glasses
worth around Rp 160 million (US$74,400) and 19 cameras, worth
over Rp 20 million ($9,300).

In West Jakarta, the group pilfered a safe containing Rp 50
million ($23,250) in cash from an affluent tailor.

In Central Jakarta, police have investigated at least two
burglaries believed to have been committed by the group,
including a theft at a stationery store which caused a loss
totaling Rp 25 million ($11,630).

"The arrest of the group was based on our investigation of
their latest theft," Charles said. (bsr)