Robbers strike twice in one night

Robbers strike twice in one night

BOGOR (JP): Police are searching for a group of robbers who
made off with one kilogram of gold jewelry, Rp 1.5 million
(US$176.4) and other belongings from two houses in Tanah Sereal
district, Bogor, an officer said yesterday.

Bogor Police chief Lt. Col. Edmon Ilyas said four unidentified
men stole the gold jewelry and Rp 1 million in cash from a house
belonging to a towel trader, FX Andi Susanto, on Jl. Ampel, early
Thursday morning.

The same robbers are believed to have stolen another Rp
500,000 and electronic goods from Isidore Ifle, a resident of Jl.
Ikan Nilem, one hour earlier on the same day, Ilyas said.

"Bogor detectives are now searching for the suspects. We hope
we can make arrests soon," he was quoted by Antara as saying.

Andi, 45, told police he heard the front door being opened
about 4 a.m. but he was subdued by the men when he tried to
investigate the noise.

Ilyas said one of the men threatened Andi with a machete.

He said the suspects woke up the victim's daughter and
housemaid, who were sleeping in their rooms, and threatened them
with machetes as well. Andi's wife was staying with relatives.

The robbers threatened to rape Andi's daughter if he did not
show them where he kept the family's jewelry, Ilyas said.

Andi finally handed over the box containing the jewelry,
including some which belonged to the maid and was entrusted to
his wife, and the cash, he said.

"I have collected the jewelry for almost 20 years as a towel
trader but it was all stolen in a matter of minutes," Ilyas
quoted Andi as saying.

The police chief said the same group was believed to be
responsible for the break-in at Isidore's house about 3 a.m.

He said a window was forced open and the robbers threatened to
rape the victim's wife and daughter if he refused to meet their
demands.

The suspects escaped after grabbing Rp 500,000 in cash and
some electronic goods, he said. (jun)