Police shoot dead two more men

JAKARTA (JP): Two more men were shot dead by police yesterday in West and Central Jakarta for resisting arrest, taking the number of alleged criminals shot dead in the city this year to 34.

City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said Suheri, alias Udin Buntung, 29, was shot by police in West Jakarta at about 3 a.m.

"He was shot in a house on Jl. KH. Mas Mansur, in Tambora, when he tried to stab officers who were trying to arrest him. He ignored the warning shots," Aritonang said.

He said Suheri lived on Jl. Sawah Lio Dalam, in Jembatan Lima, West Jakarta, and had been wanted for several robberies.

An officer shot him twice in the chest after firing two warning shots, he said.

Aritonang said police rushed Suheri to Kramat Jati Police Hospital but he died there at about 5 a.m.

The second man to be shot yesterday was identified as Hendri, alias Kablo, 23. He was shot on Jl. Veteran in the early morning.

"Suheri was shot on Jl. Veteran as he tried to escape after the officers told him to take them to his accomplices' hideouts," Aritonang said.

"The man was also wanted by police for his part in several robberies. Police have been looking for him for three months," he said.

Hendri, who served eight months in jail for a robbery last year, was shot in the back.

Police said Hendri was a known pickpocket leader who operated in Banteng, Central Jakarta.

On Saturday, the police shot dead a man involved in cow thefts in North Jakarta.

Sudarmaji, 34, was shot dead in his alleged hideout on Jl. Jembatan Trading, in Penjaringan for resisting arrest.

At least 34 alleged criminals have been shot dead by police this year. Police say all of them were shot while resisting arrest.

Last year police shot dead 46 alleged criminals for the same reason.

The shootings have drawn a mixed reaction from the public. (jun/cst)