SMS led to arrest of officer

SMS led to arrest of officer

Ruslan Sangadji, The Jakarta Post, Palu

An anonymous short message service (SMS) received by the Central
Sulawesi Police chief led to the arrest of Adj. Comr. Saleh
Iskandar over a string of attacks on churches last December.

Brig. Gen. Aryanto Sutadi told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday
that he received a tip over his cellular phone to investigate
Iskandar, whose police firearm was allegedly used in shootings at
the Immanuel and Anugerah churches.

Aryanto said he immediately forwarded the message to officers
at National Police Headquarters. He also ordered his officers to
follow up on the report.

Iskandar and his wife, who has been implicated in the case by
her husband, have been transferred to Jakarta for questioning.

Aryanto said Iskandar has denied any involvement in the
attacks, saying he was on official duty in Banten when the
shootings took place.

"There was indeed an event in Banten at the time (of the
shootings) and I assigned Iskandar to go there myself," Aryanto
said.

The chief said some suspicion had fallen onto Iskandar's wife,
who also had access to the weapon.

The gun was kept along with Rp 400 million (US$41,237) in cash
in a safe whose combination was known only to the couple.

"It was impossible that the weapon was stolen. However, we
will leave the case to the National Police. Let us just wait and
see," Aryanto said.

National Police spokesman Insp. Gen. Aryanto Boedihardjo
announced on Tuesday that Iskandar would be charged with
negligence leading to the loss of life.

Aryanto said Iskandar had admitted that the gun used in the
shooting at Anugerah Church belonged to him.

However, the suspect claimed he had not used the gun. He
accused his wife of removing the gun from the safe and giving it
to an unknown party.

Five people were wounded in the attack on Anugerah Church,
which came five months after a group of armed people stormed into
another church and opened fire on the congregation. A woman
minister, Susianti Tinulele, was killed in that attack. Police
have not arrested any of the suspected gunmen.