Policeman shot dead in Solo robbery

Policeman shot dead in Solo robbery

Blontank Poer, The Jakarta Post, Surakarta, Central Java

In the latest string of violent robberies, Surakarta was hit by
an armed bank raid on Monday that left a police officer dead.

The robbers also injured two security guards during their raid
on the Bukopin Bank branch in the Goro Assalam shopping center in
Pebelan at around 4:30 p.m.

It was not confirmed exactly how much money the raiders got
away with. However, local police quoted bank executives as saying
that some Rp 500 million (US$58,139) had been taken.

The police said the money was being brought from a subbranch
to the Goro Assalam branch.

The robbery started as Bukopin Bank security guard Ahmad
Fathoni pushed a trolley carrying three boxes of cash into the
lobby of the shopping center.

Suddenly, a number of armed men appeared carrying guns. They
opened fire without warning, killing Adj. Brig. Khomeidi, 40, an
officer of the Surakarta Police attached to the Serengan police
precinct, who was escorting Fathoni.

Fathoni said the raider also shot him in the left leg, and
then started firing indiscriminately, forcing visitors to the
shopping center to flee.

Goro Assalam security guard Luthfi Hasibuan was also wounded
during the incident.

Meanwhile, energy drink vendor Erni had a harrowing
experience: "I was serving customers and suddenly heard several
loud noises like firecrackers. I was then tied up, and saw them
kill the policeman right in front of my stall."

Although witnesses saw only three armed men, the police said
the gang comprised more than four raiders.

Sukoharjo Police chief Comr. Marsito said he believed that the
raiders were highly skilled and had good knowledge of their
targets.

"I'm confident the raiders have been observing how money is
transferred between Bukopin Bank branches in Surakarta for a long
time," he told The Jakarta Post.

He said the police had clues as to the identities of the
raiders in the form of a Yamaha Force One motorcycle and a Kijang
van that were used by them.

The robbery was the latest in a number of major crimes in
Surakarta since May last year that involved the use of firearms.

On Aug. 1, 2003, four armed robbers shot and killed the driver
of a car carrying executives of local water utility PDAM before
making off with Rp 669 million.

Another robbery targeted the offices of a cooperative on Jl.
Juanda, Surakarta, with the thieves making off with at least Rp
214 million. Three security guards were shot during this raid.

Central Java Police shot and killed three suspected bank
robbers here on Aug. 13, 2003, as officers broke up what they
called a "cold-blooded gang" that could have ties to terrorism.

Another 10 men were also arrested, all suspected members of
the gang.