Police hunt thieves

JAKARTA (JP): Police are looking for two men who stole jewelry and watches from an elderly woman at her house in Bendungan Hilir, South Jakarta.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang yesterday said that the two men, whose identities were still unknown, stole a 100-gram gold necklace from Suprapti Sudarto Supeni, 72, on Monday.

Aritonang did not disclose the carats of the stolen jewelry but said its total value could be about Rp 5 million.

He said the two men went to the woman's house on Jl. Mesjid IV pretending to be friends of her children.

"She let the two into her house and served drinks as her 'visitors' requested," said Aritonang.

Then the men pushed the woman to the floor and grabbed her necklace, he said.

The woman told police the two men also took three wristwatches and three rings.

He said Suprapti was unharmed and the case was being handled by the Bendungan Hilir police.

Although there have been no official studies, many believe that the monetary crisis which is swelling the number of unemployed here could lead to a significant increase in the crime rate in the capital. (cst)