Saleswoman beaten in foiled mugging

Saleswoman beaten in foiled mugging

JAKARTA (JP): A medical equipment saleswoman was seriously
injured on Thursday in an attempted mugging at Cipto Mangunkusumo
General Hospital in Central Jakarta.

Hospital security officer Sumardi said Tris Yulianti Gunawan,
25, suffered a fractured skull after a man, identified as
Kusnadi, hit her repeatedly with a 50-centimeter-long wooden
club. He was angered because she refused his demand for money to
pay for a friend's medical treatment.

The two were alone inside an elevator leading to the radiology
ward on the second floor of the hospital when the assault
occurred, said Sumardi, who later took Kusnadi into custody. He
described the 27-year-old man as a "thug".

Sumardi quoted the victim as saying that she was forced into
the elevator by Kusnadi, who tried to extort money from her and
began hitting her with the club, wrapped in newspaper, as he
attempted to grab her purse.

A doctor passing by the elevator was alerted by her screams
and went to her assistance. Kusnadi tried to flee but was caught
by hospital visitors. They beat him up before handing him over to
the hospital's security officers.

He was later taken into custody by officers from Senen Police
for further questioning. (06)