Robbers still on the loose

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)