Robbers murder 12-year-old girl

PADANG, West Sumatra: Police arrested three men on Sunday on charges of robbery and murder of a 12-year-old girl.

Chief of the Padang police precinct Lt. Col. Sutigno Subrata told journalists on Sunday the suspected robbers were aged between 17 and 20. Police identified them as repeat offenders.

The robbery happened at about 12 p.m. on Saturday when the victim, Wulan, was home alone.

Subrata said that one of the robbers started beating up Wulan after she refused to show him where her parents kept their valuables.

The suspect stabbed her leg twice before shoving her into the bathroom, where he hanged her from a lead string to make it look as if she had committed suicide, he said.

From the three suspects, police confiscated Rp 5.5 million (US$2,420), a dagger and several articles of clothing, Antara reported. (pan)