Police search for suspects accused of killing two men

JAKARTA (JP): City police chief Maj. Gen. Nurfaizi said detectives were combing the Pulogadung and Kampung Rambutan bus terminals in East Jakarta for three suspects who shot two men dead during an armed robbery early on Wednesday morning.

The incident took place on a bus on the Jakarta-Cikampek toll road. Another man was injured on the bus bound for Slawi, Central Java.

"As I am speaking, detectives are being placed on several buses in search of the culprits," Nurfaizi said at his office.

"We'll get the shooters soon."

Jakarta and Bekasi police detectives are also patrolling the capital's streets for the three suspects, who fled after shooting the men with a rifle, city police chief of operational control Col. Soenarko said.

Soenarko identified the dead as Masto Parno, 34, a member of the bus crew, from Konosi village in Indramayu, West Java, and Denny Edward, 26, a passenger.

The wounded man, who is receiving treatment at Bekasi General Hospital, east of Jakarta, was identified as Toripah, 40, a passenger from Brebes, Central Java.

"We don't know exactly where the three suspects got on the bus, but it was most likely at the Pulogadung terminal..."

The officer said the suspects pretended to be bus passengers.

"Once the bus was at about KM 15, Cibitung district, Bekasi, the suspects fatally shot Masto in the left side of his head. The crew member was sitting next to the bus driver," Soenarko said, adding that the bus' registration number was B 7930 PW.

"And when Denny tried to reason with the suspects not to shoot and just take the money, they shot him in the right side of his stomach, also fatally.

"Meanwhile, Toripah was shot in his thigh."

He said details about the case remained sketchy.

"The unfortunate thing is that until now, it is unclear how much money the suspects robbed from the passengers." (ylt)