Police detain thug Basri Sangaji

JAKARTA: The city police officially detained last Saturday a thug, identified as Basri Sangaji, following a brawl in the Kemang area, South Jakarta, between the suspect's gang and another, led by notorious hoodlum Hercules.

City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam acknowledged that Basri had been detained due to the death of a man from Hercules' gang, identified as Samsi S. Tuasah.

Anton claimed the suspect had also been arrested because Basri stabbed Hercules in the brawl three weeks ago.

Samsi died from gunshot wounds after the brawl. It was still unclear who shot the victim since police are still searching for the gun.

A debt problem between two businessmen, identified as Paul and Teme, was believed to be behind the brawl between the two gangs.

East Timorese Hercules had earlier pledged to take action against Basri if the police failed to arrest the suspect. Antara