Singaporean nabbed for attempted theft

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