Police shoot dead six robbery suspects

Police shoot dead six robbery suspects

BANDUNG (JP): Six men, believed to be members of a crime
syndicate, were shot dead by Bandung Police detectives in a
shootout in nearby Cimahi on Tuesday.

Another alleged thief, an Army lieutenant, was injured in the
drama.

Bandung City Police chief Yusuf Manggabarani identified the
dead men on Wednesday as Kating Siregar, Asmar Joni Nainggolan,
Dani Harahap, Sahat Hasibuan, Ronald Simson Manurung and Deden
Sianipar. All were shot in the chest and torso.

"The Army officer identified as Second Lt. Ronald Hasudungan
Sinaga, who was shot in the head, is now being treated at Hasan
Sadikin General Hospital," Yusuf said.

The police tracked down the alleged thieves after reports from
people who had been burglarized revealed a similar pattern in all
the burglaries which indicated it was the same gang, Yusuf said.

The suspects allegedly broke into the house of legislator Lt.
Col. Nyoman Ester in Margahayu Raya housing complex on April 23.,
he added.

"When the police showed them (victims of the burglaries) three
pictures of wanted men, they said they were among the criminals."

The search for the thieves, led by Lt. Col. Elman Lembong,
began on Tuesday and the police officers patrolled Batujajar
where they heard the gang planned to rob a house.

The police saw a red Toyota Kijang carrying the seven wanted
men and ordered the driver to stop. The van changed course and
sped toward Cimahi.

The vehicle stopped only after the police fired warning shots.
"However, three of the criminals, including the Army officer, got
out of the car and attempted to resist arrest," Yusuf said,
adding that the Army officer produced a gun and Asmar Joni was
holding a machete. "The policemen had to shoot them."

Two of the criminals, Kating and Asmar Joni died at the scene
while the other four died on the way to the hospital.

Meanwhile in Jayapura, Irian Jaya an Army member and four
policemen were arrested for allegedly attacked a taxi driver on
Tuesday. The driver, identified as Muslimin, 20, suffered from
severe stab wounds and is being treated at the Navy Hospital.

Jayapura local police chief Lt. Col. Daus Sihombing refused to
identify the attackers. The cause of the assault also remained
unknown.

The incident happened 24 hours after the arrival of Army chief
of staff Gen. Tyasno Sudarto, who was hoping to mend ties between
the military and civilians in the easternmost province.
(25/sur/eba)