Police nab robbery suspects

JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta police have arrested two suspects of last year's fatal robbery on the Jagorawi toll road. They were arrested in their hideouts in the town of Jember.

Jember Police Precinct Chief Lt. Col. A Madjid Tawil told Antara yesterday that Ag, 35, and Mc, 37, were arrested Monday.

"They were hiding at a relative's house in Tanggul, Jember. They did not resist when arrested," Madjid said.

Another suspect, DD, is still at large.

Madjid said Bogor police had been tracking the suspects since they left Bogor.

Police believed the suspects also robbed the Banyuwangi Danamon Bank branch some time ago.

Jember and Banyuwangi are on East Java's most eastern tip.

"The suspects have been transferred to Bogor for further processing," Madjid said.

But Bogor Police Chief Lt. Col. Ruslan Riza said he knew nothing about the arrest.

"I don't know. No one told me about that," he said yesterday.

Private firm employee Zaenudin Lesmana was killed in the robbery took place on Oct. 11 last year.

The armed robbers made off with Rp 230 million (US$98,797), while the victims' companions, Tjetje Tadjuddin and Nurdin Lubis were unhurt.

Tjetje and Nurdin were the key witnesses to the robbery but Bogor Police then detained them as suspects.

Ten days later Tjetje was tortured to death in police custody and a police first lieutenant was sacked over the incident.

Rumors have it the armed robbery involved soldiers because the gun used by the robbers was a type the Army uses. (sur/24)