Police probe model Bella's complaints
JAKARTA (JP): Police are investigating local model Bella Esperance Lee's charges that a former boyfriend has stolen valuable documents.
City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said on Saturday they could conclude anything yet because they had only her report to go on.
"I cannot give any details about the artist's report. All I can tell you is that we will soon summon Bella's former boyfriend and other people we believe have information relevant to the case," Iman told The Jakarta Post.
Last Friday, Bella, 31, accompanied by her mother, reported to City Police Headquarters that her 38-year-old former boyfriend, Hendrik Tirtanimala, refused to return her car and house titles and some other valuable papers. Bella charged that Hendrik stole the documents after she refused to have sex with him.
Police sources said over the weekend that the Singapore-born model and actress, who has starred in several local television soap operas, reported that Hendrik had attempted to rape her and then stole her documents.
A police source, quoted Bella as saying that the rape attempt took place after a heated quarrel on Tuesday, April 16, in a house in Cinere, South Jakarta.
"The man reportedly tried to force her to have sex, but she did not want that. He allegedly became so upset at the woman's rejection that he took her valuable documents and refused to return them," the source said.
Hendrik and Bella had reportedly had a good relationship before the quarrel on Tuesday night.
After the fight she drove back to her own house in Bogor even though Hendrik had taken her car documents from her.
Bella reported the incident to the police after trying unsuccessfully to get Hendrik to return them several times.
She told the police that Hendrik said he would surrender the documents only if she apologized to him.
Unofficial sources said Bella and Hendrik had been living together for some years.
Hendrik had reportedly purchased the house in Cinere for Bella. They planned to get married in China on June 8 this year.
Hendrik told reporters over the weekend he could not understand what was behind Bella's behavior.
"I have given her what she wanted. I don't have any idea why she reported me to police. What is she looking for?" Hendrik said.
Hendrik was quoted by Berita Yudha as saying that he had prepared everything for the wedding.
"I have even reserved a luxurious room in a Beijing hotel," said Hendrik.
The former air hostess, Bella Esperance Lee is of mixed Chinese and Dutch descent. She made her debut as a photo model and obtained her Indonesian citizenship in 1990. (sur/bsr)