Singaporean nabbed for attempted theft

PEKANBARU, Riau: A Singaporean national was arrested on Wednesday afternoon for trying to steal a motorcycle in Pekanbaru, Riau, local police said.

The suspect, Koh Ban Leong, 35, currently being held by Pekanbaru Police, was collared at the scene of the crime on Jl. Riau-Pekanbaru by local residents, who then administered a severe beating.

"The motorcycle's owner shouted, 'Thief, thief', when the Singaporean man grabbed his bike. Local residents gave immediate chase and caught him. They beat him up before handing him over to us," said Tampan Police chief Adj. Comr. Berliando.

Berliando said Koh admitted to being a Singaporean national and that he had arrived in Pekanbaru nine months ago. He speaks very little Indonesian.

Koh said he had first visited Jakarta and then took a bus to Pekanbaru where, upon his arrival, he was robbed of all his cash and valuables.

"Koh claims the group of men that robbed him was led by a man named Loren. He said he lost S$4,000 in cash, a gold necklace worth Rp 10 million and all personal documents, including his passport," Berliando said.

The Singaporean also said he had attempted the theft in order to recover his papers, claiming that Loren had promised to return his stolen documents in exchange for a motorcycle.

Since the mugging, Koh had survived as a vagrant in Pekanbaru and slept where he could, asking local ethnic Chinese for food, the police chief quoted the suspect as saying. -- JP