Police shoot 63 bandits this year

JAKARTA (JP): City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang yesterday said the number of criminals shot by police from January to April this year was more than 60.

"So far about 63 criminals have been shot by police. Most of them were shot during raids," Aritonang said.

Aritonang said the police shot criminals who attacked officers during the raids or while being taken to trace the crooks' accomplices.

The Detektif & Romantika magazine said 61 criminals were shot from January to April this year. Only two of the 61 survived, the report said.

Aritonang denied that only two survived.

"Not all of the criminals were shot dead by police. Police don't easily shoot a criminal to death. At least 15 percent were only wounded," Aritonang said.

According to the report, 29 of the 61 criminals were chased by police for theft and robbery, 14 for car robberies, and three for murder.

Last week two more alleged criminals were shot dead in Bekasi and Central Jakarta. Both were suspected for involvement in several robberies. (cst)