'Saddam Hussein' shot dead

BANDUNG: A local fugitive, identified as Dadang Nurjaman, alias 'Saddam Hussein', was shot dead on Tuesday for resisting arrest.

Bandung township police chief, Col. Erwin Mappaseng, told reporters that the man, wanted for nine years for his involvement in car thefts, had attacked the officers who wanted to arrest him.

"He had stabbed one of the officers and ignored warning shots, before a policeman finally fired four shots into his arm, thigh, chest and stomach," Erwin said.

Saddam, who had a tattoo that read Milik Omah Komalasari Pribadi (belonging to Omah Komalasari only) under his navel, died on the way to Hasan Sadikin Hospital.

Police found his hideout in Cicalengka, 40 kilometers east of Bandung, following tips by three men arrested for stealing cars.

Erwin said that the gang members stole cars based on orders from prospective buyers. "They first bought car documents, based on the orders, of cars that were damaged in accidents. They then stole cars of the same type and changed the engine and chassis numbers," he said.

Police confiscated four cars from the gang. (ahy/sur)