Seventeen detainees still on the lam after breakout

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

The Jakarta Police are still hunting 17 of the 24 detainees who escaped from their cell at the Senen Police substation in Central Jakarta early on Friday.

Three escapees were arrested on Saturday, while four others surrendered themselves on Friday afternoon, according to police spokesman Sr. Comr. Anton Bachrul Alam.

"The mastermind is still at large," Anton said.

Two of the three people arrested by police were identified as Nabon Sihombing, a suspect in a smuggling and robbery case, and Manuansa Simanjuntak, an alleged fence, who were arrested in Rawamangun, East Jakarta.

The identify of the third suspect was not available.

The four detainees who surrendered themselves on Friday were involved in theft, narcotics, torture and illegal possession of sharp weapons, respectively.

Those who are still at large are suspects in drug cases, illegal possession of sharp weapons and circulation of porn VCDs.

The 24 detainees escaped from their nine-meter-square cell at about 3:30 a.m. on Friday morning through the roof after breaking the plywood ceiling and bending the steel bars.

Following the incident, a number of police officers were sent to the provost for questioning.

Jakarta Police chief Insp. Gen. Makbul Padmanagara earlier said that the incident occurred because of negligence on the part of the police.