Seven arrested for spate of armed robberies

JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested seven men early yesterday morning in Central Jakarta for alleged involvement in three armed robberies and the murder of a minivan driver.

Cempaka Putih police chief Maj. Gatot said the men, identified as Heja Effendi, 25, Ramelan Simatupang, 22, Robert Manurung, 25, Budiman Hutasoit, 22, Soter Manurung, 24, Juner Ambarta, 22, and Roy Bonar Simbolon, 28, were arrested on Jl. Senen Raya.

They were apprehended after they robbed a man, Atmaja, who boarded a minivan with license plate number B 2637 V in the Senen area, he said.

"One of the men pretended to be the driver, while the other six acted as passengers."

The gang threatened Atmaja with a machete and stole Rp 170,000 from him.

"The police tracked the gang down and arrested its members after Atmaja reported the incident."

The suspects are currently detained at the Central Jakarta police precinct. Gatot said the men had also confessed to committing two other armed robberies in Senen and Pulomas, East Jakarta, which were not reported to police by the victims.

The men are also suspects in the murder of Andreas Mujono, 66, the owner of the minivan used in the robberies.

Andreas' body and that of an unidentified man were found on Jl. Sediatmo elevated toll road in North Jakarta at 11:45 a.m. on Monday. Both men had been stabbed to death. The bodies were sent to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for autopsies.

Andreas' wife, Inarti, and other relatives visited the hospital yesterday afternoon to identify the body.

"I want to die, so I will not think of him again. What's the meaning of this life without him?" Inarti cried after recognizing her husband's body. She did not recognize the other man.

In a separate incident, police also arrested Suherman alias Emung bin Karmuzi for allegedly stabbing Aldi, 23, in a mugging attempt at about 2 p.m. in Petojo Utara, Gambir, Central Jakarta.

"Suherman apparently tried to mug Aldi, but the victim fought back. The suspect stabbed Aldi in his left side, neck and right hand," city police spokesman Lt. Col. Aritonang said.

"Fortunately, nearby residents were around to help Aldi and caught Suherman before calling the police."

Aldi was taken to a nearby community health center for treatment, Aritonang said. Suherman is in custody at Gambir police subprecinct. (ivy/edt)