Police shoot suspected carjacker

TANGERANG: The alleged leader of a carjacking gang was killed in a hail of gunfire as he attempted to escape police on Thursday.

Tangerang police detective's chief Insp. Kustanto said Sugeng, 35, was arrested last week and had admitted to being the leader of a gang that had carjacked about 100 vehicles, mainly on the Jakarta-Merak toll road, this year.

Sugeng had admitted he sold the stolen vehicles to Lampung, Bengkulu and Palembang and provided information about another gang member called Buyung, Kustanto said.

Police took Sugeng to Buyung's hiding place in Palembang, where they found five stolen cars but not Buyung, he said.

Kustanto said Sugeng then told police his accomplice was hiding in Cadas village, Sepatan district, Tangerang.

When police arrived at the village at 3 a.m., Sugeng had attempted to escape, Kustanto said.

The suspect ignored warning shots and then was shot five times, dying instantly, he said. --JP