Robbers still on the loose

PADANG, West Sumatra: Police admitted yesterday they were still in the dark about the whereabouts of robbers who snatched over Rp 100 million from two government employees in Bukittinggi Monday.

Col. J. Simanjuntak, deputy to the provincial police chief, said the authorities had found a van and motorcycle abandoned by the robbers on Padang Panjang road, but nothing more.

He said police were searching for the owners of the vehicles in the hope that they would help lead to the capture of the criminals.

Bukittinggi mayor Armedi Agus said he had to find another financial source to replace the cash that had been earmarked for paying salaries.

Deswita, the mayor's treasurer who was one of the men robbed and attacked by the robbers, was still in hospital yesterday.

The men were attacked on returning to the office after withdrawing the money from the bank.

"In future, no one will withdraw money from the bank without police escort," Armedi said. (32)