Police continue two murder investigations

TANGERANG (JP): Local police are still investigating two separate murder cases which occurred here earlier this week.

Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Ariyanto Boedihardjo said yesterday that the motives for both killings remained unknown and that his detectives were still collecting information on the cases.

"We hope to know the answers in the near future," said Ariyanto.

One of the victims was Supandi, 33, of Desa Penggilingan in Ciledug district.

The employee of a private firm was found dead at 5.30 p.m. Wednesday by a passerby in a small alley of Desa Pondok Jaya in Pondok Aren district.

Dozens of fresh slash wounds were found on the victim's body.

The cover of a sickle, believed to be the murder weapon, was found near the scene along with the victim's Yamaha Force-1 motorcycle.

Supandi's wallet was also found on his body with Rp 350,000 (US$58.50) cash and his ID cards.

"Judging from the victim's wounds and the items found at the scene, it seems that the motive of the killing was revenge," said Ariyanto.

"It would be hard for us to say that it was a robbery," the officer added.

Ariyanto has ordered the Pondok Aren Subprecinct to focus its investigation on the case by collecting information on Supandi's business activities in Pondok Jaya.

"We've got to find out, for example, how often the victim went to the area, the people he met there and for what reason," he said.

On Tuesday, a housewife was found dead near a river in Desa Pete, Tigaraksa, with stab wounds to her chest.

Sukmana, 20, was on her way to wash clothes in the river after having saur (the Ramadhan predawn meal).

She was found by her four-year-old boy, who followed after her a few minutes later.

Local police have yet to name any suspects in the case. (41/bsr)