Police shoot alleged thief

JAKARTA (JP): Police officers in Curug, Tangerang, shot and killed one of four people suspected of stealing an automobile in Binong village early on Sunday morning.

City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bahrul Alam identified the suspect as Sunaryo, 35, a native of East Java who was a farmer.

Sunaryo died after being shot in the chest by police, according to Anton.

Anton said that at about 4 a.m. on Sunday, residents of Binong village residents caught four men, all armed with guns, trying to steal a car owned by local resident Peng Che, 40.

"The residents immediately rushed to the Curug Police station to report the incident. Curug Police chief of detectives First. Insp. Jakarsih wasted no time and immediately joined his men in hunting down the four suspects," Anton said.

"They came upon two of the thieves, who were racing on a Honda Astrea Grand motorcycle ... and residents were screaming that they were the thieves. Police shot one man ... the other escaped."

Police are still looking for the other three suspects. (ylt)