Police seek out jewelry shop robbers

TANGERANG: Tangerang Police on Sunday were still investigating the robbery of two jewelry shops on Jl. Raya Serang in Tangerang Regency, Tempo Interaktif reported.

The robbers made off with some 24 kilograms in gold jewelry worth about Rp 2.1 billion (about US$216,000) from Chandra Jewelry and nearby Mutiara Jewelry on Saturday afternoon.

"We have dispatched our detectives to five sectors in Jakarta, Bogor, Depok, Tangerang and Bekasi to apprehend the robbers," Tangerang detectives chief Adj. Comr. Adex Yustiwan said on Sunday.

About 10 people on motorcycles approached the two shops at noon on Saturday when the stores were full of customers. Bearing knives and guns they threatened customers and forced attendants to give up all the gold and jewelry on display.

Samebob, 51, owner of Chandra Jewelry, said that the robbers made off with 15 kilograms of gold, while Bongkin Chon, 32, owner of Mutiara Jewelry, said that they made off with 9 kilograms of gold jewelry from his store. --JP