Police shoot side mirror thief

Police shoot side mirror thief

JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested two men and shot one of them for
reportedly stealing the side mirrors of a Mercedes sedan at the
Hotel Indonesia traffic circle on Jl. Thamrin, Central Jakarta,
on Tuesday.

The suspects, identified as Hasanudin and Johan Makmur, were
seen approaching the black sedan at about 11 a.m. when the
traffic was congested as a result of a rally by dozens of people
demanding the resignation of President Abdurrahman Wahid.

Using steel plates, Johan broke off the left mirror and
Hasanudin took the right mirror while the sedan was trapped in
the congestion.

The car driver, Amalan, 30, who works for PT Primadana Futura
Center, shouted for help and honked the car horn repeatedly as
the suspects made an escape. No motorists responded to Amalan's
shout.

Two police officers, Sec. Insp. Pius Monggeng and First. Brig.
Asep Sudarna, who were in the area, quickly chased the suspects.

Officer Pius fired two warning shots and then shot Johan in
the left leg after the suspects refused to surrender. Upon seeing
Johan downed, Hasanudin gave up.

The arrest interrupted the rally for a while until the
suspects, both in their 30s, were taken to city police
headquarters. (jun)