Police chief confirms arrest for tollway heist

JAKARTA (JP): National Police Chief Lt. Gen. Dibyo Widodo confirmed yesterday the arrest of two suspects in last October's Jagorawi toll road fatal robbery and said he hoped they could be tried soon.

He also said he wanted the other suspect arrested immediately. Widodo was talking in Bandar Lampung after addressing a police roll call for officers involved in security during Ramadhan and Idul Fitri.

Police arrested the suspects, identified only as Ag and Mc in Jember, East Java, Monday. Another suspect, identified only as DD is still at large.

Jember Police Precinct Chief Lt. Col. Ruslan Riza said all three were from Jember.

The fatal robbery took place on Oct. 11 last year when three men, one with a gun, shot to death private firm employee Zaenuddin Lesmana, and robbed him of Rp 230 million (US98,797) on the Jagorawi toll road. The victim's companions, Tjetje Tadjuddin and Nurman Lubis (not Nurdin Lubis) were unhurt.

Police found a bullet shell from an FN 45 gun at the scene before questioning Tjetje and Nurman.

The case caught people's attention after it was revealed the FN 45 was an official Army gun. Tjetje and Nurmin, who were questioned as witnesses, were declared the suspects and detained.

The case made newspaper headlines when Tjetje was tortured to death in Bogor police custody ten days after the robbery. A police first lieutenant was sacked over the incident.

Rumors have it that Tjetje's death was related to the other suspects being soldiers. This seemed to make people see the case as special. The arrest of two suspects surprised many people.

Asked about his reaction to the arrests, Dibyo said the robbery was a normal case. "Nothing surprised me. I just want things to be settled legally."

Dibyo said the suspects were in Bogor police custody. But Bogor Police Chief Lt. Col. Ruslan Riza declined to comment, saying the West Java Police were in charge of making statements. (sur)