Smoke thieves caught: Police

BANDAR LAMPUNG, Lampung: Police here apprehended two men out of a group of five suspected of attempting to steal a truck, loaded with cigarettes, belonging to cigarette maker PT Gudang Garam, Antara reported on Friday.

Bandar Lampung District Police chief Lt. Col. TMB Siahaan identified the arrested suspects as Emri Hara and Nasri, while the three other men are Zulhan, Marwan and Syarif.

The group has been involved in a series of truck robberies, causing the company Rp 653 million in losses, the officer said.

Siahaan said two members of a group suspected of stealing a truck carrying cement, identified as Mansyur Muhtaridi and Malkiki Efendi, were also arrested.

At least 17 suspects have been caught in various operations between June and July this year, three of whom were shot for allegedly resisting arrest. (edt)