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.