Robbers steal Rp 700m, kill officer

Robbers steal Rp 700m, kill officer

Apriadi Gunawan, The Jakarta Post, Medan

One policeman was killed and six civilians wounded on Saturday
when armed robbers stole the Rp 700 million (US$68,495) payroll
of state plantation firm PT Perkebunan Nusantara II (PTPN II).

Police are hunting down the suspected robbers, who they say
are "old players".

The PTPN II management announced on Sunday that employees'
salaries would be paid soon, despite the robbery.

Witnesses said the armed robbers fired guns at the firm's
vehicle, which was heading toward the Sei Semayang sugarcane
plantation in Hamparan Perak district, Deli Serdang regency.

Police said the robbery was obviously well planned since the
vehicle, driven by Sugohono and carrying two policemen, one
security officer, three PTPN II security guards, departed the
company's office for Bulu Cina plantation earlier on Saturday.

When the vehicle was crossing into the Paya Bakung area, a
truck carrying around five men blocked its way and started firing
guns.

"The criminals seemed to know precisely the number of security
officers guarding the money because they fired at close range
during the ambush to immobilize the guards inside," said Medan
Police chief Sr. Comr. Irawan Dahlan.

At least 30 bullet shells, including those for an M-16 rifle,
were found around the vehicle.

"There was an exchange of fire, in which a policeman was
killed and others in the car were severely wounded," Irawan said.

The dead policeman, Adj. First. Insp. Raskita Ginting, 41, of
the Hamparan Perak Police died after sustaining gunshot wounds to
the head and abdomen. Reskita also suffered a stab wound to his
neck.

The six injured are Brig. D. Ritonga, Sugohono, JA Manalu,
Suharno, Sarzimun and Legiman. They are being treated at Tembakau
Deli and Gleneagles hospitals.

To throw off the police, Irawan said the robbers abandoned the
car they used in the heist and escaped in another car that had
been waiting for them near the crime scene.

"We believe they split the money before leaving the crime
scene because we discovered the money bag that was used to carry
the payroll," he said.

Irawan said the criminals were believed to be in the district
but seemed to know the district extremely well and were therefore
able to evade the police.

"We have combed areas where we suspect they could be hiding.
We expect to arrest them directly," Irawan said.

He also said the robbers were part of an organized armed gang
that operated in many districts and provinces on Sumatra island.

PTPN II spokesperson Modal Pencawan confirmed the robbery, and
assured that the employees would still receive their salaries as
scheduled.

"The management is astounded and very upset about the
incident, which claimed a life. We hope the authorities soon
arrest the perpetrators," Modal said.