Six suspected robbers arrested

JAKARTA (JP): Detectives of the Pancoran police subprecinct in South Jakarta have arrested five of the six suspects believed to have committed a series of robberies around the Kalibata Mall in South Jakarta.

"The suspects were apprehended last week following reports of two serious crimes which occurred at almost the same time on Sept. 22 in the area," Jakarta Police Spokesman Maj. Nyoman S. announced on Monday.

The group is believed to have wounded a visitor in the mall's parking lot at around 4:30 p.m. before holding up and wounding another man at a nearby railway station three hours later.

The five suspects, aged between 20 and 30, are identified as Oong, Freddy, Bonar, Jatmiko and Sobrany.

"The other one, who is still at large, has been identified as Wenny," said Nyoman. "According to the other suspects, it was Wenny who used a stiletto to wound the victims."

According to Capt. Nurhayati, deputy chief of the Pancoran police, the first victim, Ngalimun, 24, a driver, was assaulted and seriously wounded by the suspects because of a misunderstanding.

"A slight argument between the victim and the drunken suspects took place shortly after one of the suspects collided with the victim, who was walking around at the mall with his girlfriend," said the policewoman.

The argument then degenerated into a one-sided fight when the other members of the group attacked Ngalimun.

According to Nurhayati, the victim had severe stab wounds in the abdomen and jaw. He also suffered other serious injuries in other parts of the body.

"Ngalimun is still being treated at the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital," she said.

Shortly after injuring the first victim, the group ran to hide in the Duren Kalibata railway station, which is about 250 meters from Kalibata Mall, said Nurhayati.

At around 7:15 p.m. the group stopped a man who was walking down the platform and asked him for money, Nurhayati said. The victim was Irvan Ramon, 19.

"The suspects then stole the victim's wallet, which contained Rp 7,500 (US$3.10), and his shoes and trousers," she said.

When the victim ran and shouted for help the men chased after him and one of them stabbed him in the back, Nurhayati said.

According to Nurhayati, police had no major problems apprehending the suspects because they all had been identified.

The police believe the suspects are responsible for other similar crimes in the city. (bsr)