Police nab assault suspect

BANDUNG: Sumedang Police arrested on Friday Tarum, alias Cikle, 41, in Cilangkap subdistrict, Sumedang regency, for assaulting on Wednesday five pilgrims to a holy cemetery in the neighboring subdistrict of Narimbang.

Chief of Sumedang Police Adj. Sr. Comr. Yoyok Subagiono said the suspect, who is deaf, was arrested after being on the lam for two days.

Tarum apparently hid on Tampomas mountain, but descended because of hunger. He was easily nabbed by the police, Yoyok said.

He said the suspect had tried to rape a woman pilgrim in a quiet corner of the sacred Cacaganti cemetery, but was hindered by others on the scene.

The suspect reacted by attacking five people at the cemetery, including his intended victim, with a machete. He killed one of the five, severely injured three others and slightly injured his intended rape victim.

The suspect has been charged with manslaughter, which carries a maximum sentence of 15 years in jail. -- JP