Police shoot dead one of Tangerang's most wanted

TANGERANG, West Java (JP): Police shot dead a notorious criminal after he tried to escape from a police escort at Parigi village in Pondok Aren sub-district, Tuesday.

"We were forced to shoot him because he ran away when the police asked him to show the hideout of an accomplice," Tangerang police chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said.

Saiful alias Panjul, 24, was one of Tangerang's most wanted criminals. He was wanted for a series of car thefts and last month's murder of 16-year-old boy Samtani, in Pondok Aren.

"Saiful was a repeat offender. Last year he was jailed twice for stealing several motorcycles, and this year he served a seven-month jail term for a similar offense," Iman said.

He said Saiful's death had relieved Pondok Aren and Parung Serab villagers because he often used a knife to extort money from them.

"A few days before we arrested him some of the people sent a letter to the Tangerang police precinct, urging police to immediately capture and punish the criminal," Iman said.

On Sept. 30, Saiful and eight other suspects were believed to have killed Samtani. Police captured him and five of the suspects on Oct.15.

Iman said Saiful was arrested at his house in Parung Sebab, Monday.

"He told police he kept one of the stolen motorcycles at Cigeulis in the Pandeglang regency," he said.

After finding the evidence, the police drove the suspect back to Pondok Aren to locate the hiding place of one of Saiful's alleged accomplices, Ari Borin.

"But when they arrived at Parigi village, Saiful fought the police officers and was trying to escape. The police had no other choice but shoot him after he ignored several warning shots,", Iman said. (28/bas)