Police detain alleged killer of Kramat Jati resident

JAKARTA (JP): Police have detained one of two alleged killers of a 61-year-old man, who was found beaten to death in his home at Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, last month.

East Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Syahrir Kuba said yesterday that Rusdi, 23, was apprehended at his rented house located near the scene of the crime on Jl. Batu Sari.

"He has already confessed to having committed the crime together with his friend, who is still at large," Syahrir said.

The officer quoted Rusdi as saying they killed Zainuddin after the latter discovered them attempting to burgle his house on July 11.

Rusdi said he panicked when the victim screamed for help, Syahrir said.

"He then slammed Zainuddin's head with a plank. Rusdi's friend followed by hitting the victim several times," the officer said.

"Then they bound the victim's hands and feet with rope and gagged his mouth with a small towel."

Zainuddin died from severe head wounds, Syahrir said.

The two men escaped with a television set, an iron, a necklace and several other items of jewelry.

In an attempt to mislead the police, the suspects left a sign written in blood on the floor near the victim's body, reading: "A" from Nusakambangan.

Located in the southern part of Cilacap in Central Java, Nusakambangan is a notorious penal colony.

Cijantung murder

On Tuesday, the East Jakarta police also captured a 25-year- old man for his allegedly killing his stepfather in Cijantung in the wee hours last Friday.

According to Syahrir, Amat Sutrisno was arrested at his house in Mampang, South Jakarta, along with a shirt covered with blood and about Rp 600,000 in cash.

Amat, he said, admitted to having murdered Suparmin, 56, at about 3 a.m. Friday when he was asked to help repair the roof by his stepfather.

"Suparmin was standing on the steel stairs when Amat shook the stairs. When the man fell to the ground, Amat beat him repeatedly with a wooden plank and a hammer.

"He then took Rp 3.3 million in cash and left the scene hastily."

Suparmin's body was only found three days later after neighbors smelled a putrid odor coming from his house on Jl. Swadaya RT10/11 No. 59, he said.

"Amat admitted to killing his stepfather over a deep grudge because Suparmin did not share Rp 3.3 million he received from selling his motorbike," Syahrir said. (edt)