Prison fails to report detainee's escape to police
Prison fails to report detainee's escape to police
JAKARTA (JP): Police have not been notified that a detainee of
Salemba Penitentiary in Central Jakarta escaped while being
escorted by prison guards to Graha Medika Hospital in Kebun
Jeruk, West Jakarta, on March 13.
The escapee, Tjong Yan Men, alias Hartono Theo, was due in
court the next day.
West Jakarta deputy police chief Maj. Syafril Nursal said on
Wednesday that the West Jakarta Police had not even heard of the
matter.
"We don't even know who Hartono Theo is. If we had received
this news from the penitentiary before, we would have certainly
searched for him," Syafril told The Jakarta Post.
"This is a serious case. We will definitely look into this
matter."
The verdict on the 48-year-old defendant in a foreign currency
fraud case was scheduled to be read at the North Jakarta District
Court on March 24.
The North Jakarta Police station, under whose jurisdiction the
North Jakarta District Court falls, has not been informed of
Hartono's escape either.
North Jakarta Police chief of operational control Maj. Bayu
said on Thursday that he too had not received any news on the
matter.
"I have not heard anything about this ... where did you hear
this from? I'm surprised Salemba (penitentiary) or the North
Jakarta District Court did not report this to us," Bayu told the
Post.
Similarly, Central Jakarta Police chief of detectives Maj.
Hendra Suhartiyono said his office had not received any request
for help from Salemba Penitentiary regarding the escaped
prisoner.
"Procedurally, it's the penitentiary's responsibility to
recapture the prisoner.
"If the penitentiary needs help from the police it should file
a formal request for help (DPO) with the Central Jakarta Police
station," Hendra said.
Hartono had been detained at the penitentiary for about one
month. He had complained of frequent headaches and chest pain.
"Due to his sickness, Dr. Juniarto at the penitentiary gave
him a permit to go to a hospital," warden Bambang Krisbanu said.
"According to procedure, he was supposed to be taken to
National Police Kramatjati Hospital in East Jakarta, but Hartono
said the doctor who usually took care of him practiced at Graha
Medika Hospital."
According to a source, just as the penitentiary's officers
were about to escort a handcuffed Hartono into Graha Medika
Hospital, a woman caught their eye.
"When they turned around, Hartono was gone," the source said.
(nvn/06/09/ylt)