Police officer, driver shot during armed bank robbery

JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta Police detectives are searching for four men in connection with the shooting of a police officer and a civilian during an armed bank robbery on Jl. Raden Inten in Duren Sawit, East Jakarta, on Friday morning.

City police chief of detectives Sr. Comr. Harry Montolalu identified the victims as First Brig. Solihin and driver Albert Manurung. Both are in critical condition. Bank teller Paramitha, who was also victimized, was left unharmed.

Albert is receiving medical treatment at Islam Pondok Kopi Hospital and officer Solihin at Persahabatan Hospital, both located in East Jakarta.

Harry said the victims were scheduled to transfer Rp 950 million (US$100,000) from Bank Global's Jatinegara branch to its Cakung branch.

"It was the bank's money. The victims drove an operational blue Kijang van, license number B 7216 EB. The incident occurred at 11:30 a.m. on Friday," Harry told reporters.

Harry said that on the way to Cakung, four men on two Yamaha RX-King motorcycles, came "out of nowhere" and surrounded the van, just as it reached the Duren Sawit gas station on Jl. Raden Inten.

"Using an FN gun, one robber shot at the driver's window, smashing it. The bullet went through Albert's stomach. The robber opened the door and shot Albert in the right shoulder as well," Harry said.

"When officer Solihin tried to take out his weapon, he was shot in the right side of the jaw ... the bullet exited through the left side of his jaw. He was also shot near the right shoulder."

Harry said the robbers threw the officer and Albert out of the van, leaving them near the gas station, and sped off with the terrified Paramitha and the money.

While nearby residents rushed Albert to Islam Pondok Kopi Hospital and officer Solihin to Persahabatan Hospital, police officers found the blue van abandoned in Pulau Jahe market, Duren Sawit.

"Paramitha was inside the van, in total shock. A huge portion of the Rp 950 million was gone. Cakung Police officers are waiting for Paramitha to regain her composure before questioning her," Harry said. (ylt)