Robber shot in Central Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Police shot a man dead for allegedly robbing a bajaj (three wheeled taxi) driver in the Banteng field, Central Jakarta Friday on night.

Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. M. Ibrahim said Saturday that Suryadi, 25, alias Lani, was shot for resisting arrest.

Suryadi and his two accomplices, identified only as Riz and Id, arrived at the field in the bajaj but refused to pay the driver, said Maj. Edward Syah Pernong, Central Jakarta Police Detective Chief.

Suryadi threatened the driver with a sword and demanded money, Pernong said.

He said a police sergeant, Suryansah, who was not in uniform, saw the incident and approached the men.

He said Suryadi then threatened the officer.

"I'll kill you if you try to fight us," the man was quoted by Pernong as saying.

He said the sergeant shot Suryadi in the leg when the robber tried to stab him. He was then shot in the chest when he kept fighting the officer, he said.

Riz and Id escaped.

Pernong said police rushed Suryadi to the Kramatjati Police Hospital but he died on the way.

He said Suryadi frequented the Banteng field and had robbed several passers-by.

He said Suryadi began "running" criminals and hoodlums in the area after police shot dead Hendri, alias Tablo, on April 21.

At least 50 people have been shot dead by police in and around Jakarta this year for resisting arrest.

Last year police shot dead 46 people for resisting arrest. (jun)