Robbers make off with Rp 2 million

BEKASI, West Java (JP): Eight unidentified men broke into two houses in the Setu village in the early hours of yesterday and made off with Rp 2 million in cash, after wounding two people and tying up another with plastic rope before throwing him into a well.

The burglars broke into Djana's house at about 2 a.m, overpowered him and stole Rp 300,000. The burglars tied Djana up with plastic rope and threw him into a 12-meter-deep well.

Djana is unmarried and works as a village hansip (security guard).

While Djana was struggling in the well to untie himself, some of the criminals broke into another house belonging to Kamaluddin, just 200 meters away from Djana's house.

Some of the burglars attacked a neighbor, Acep, who was about to go to Djana's house upon hearing Djana's screams for help. They stabbed the 30-year-old man in the hands and shoulder with a machete.

"They were masked and had machetes and swords with them," Kamaluddin, 42, said.

"I woke up upon hearing sounds, but some of the burglars who were already in my house dragged me out and asked where I kept my money," he added.

Kamaluddin's wife, Rosidah, 35, who was gagged with cloth, was hit in the head and back. The men tied up Kamaluddin and his wife, also with plastic rope.

He assumed that the men, who made off with Rp 1,700,000, must have learned that he had just sold a plot of land.

Djana was helped out of the well by neighbors after the robbers fled the scene. (kod)