Police shoot dead fugitive in chase

JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead a man believed to be a member of a group of armed robbers in a daylight street chase on Jl. Darmawangsa, South Jakarta, over the weekend.

South Jakarta police chief Lt. Col. Satrya Hari Prasetya told The Jakarta Post Saturday that the suspect, identified only as Doyok, was shot twice in the chest and head for resisting arrest.

"Officers of the mobile detective squad called Doyok when he was spotted walking on Jl. Darmawangsa at about 11 a.m. Doyok turned his head for a moment and ran away.

"Police gave warning shots but he kept on running. One of the officers managed to grab one of his shoulders, but he fought back and injured the officer's stomach with a sickle."

Cornered by the suspect, the detective was forced to open fire, Satrya added.

Doyok reportedly died instantly, and his body was taken to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for autopsy.

"Doyok has been put under surveillance for quite some time as we suspected him of being involved in a series of armed robberies."

Doyok was allegedly a member of the gang which broke into the residence of a Japanese expatriate on Jl. Prapanca Raya, South Jakarta, on Aug. 5 and absconded with Rp 7 million in cash, four golf clubs, a camera, a 14-inch television set and a video camera.

The robbery took place when the resident, Matsushita, who works for PT Hakuriku United Forging Industries, was away, head of South Jakarta police detective unit Maj. Rycko Almeza Daniel said.

Earlier Saturday, South Jakarta police also nabbed five of Doyok's alleged accomplices in separate raids in Rawamangun, East Jakarta.

"The five, identified as Rivai, Bambang, Yanto, Sanali and Toni Hariyanto, are detained here (at South Jakarta police precinct).

"Apparently we captured them just after they committed another robbery, because they were captured in an Espass van containing six computer units, electronic goods and six sharp weapons," he said.

"So far, the five admitted they were involved only in the robbery on Jl. Prapanca Raya. We're still conducting a thorough investigation of the case."

One member of the gang is still at large but police already have a precise identification of him, he said. (edt)