'Soldier' arrested in Tangerang

JAKARTA (JP): A man claiming to be a soldier has been arrested for allegedly trying to steal a motorcycle from a parking lot in Sukasari district, Tangerang, police said.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said Tuesday that the alleged thief, Deni Saifudin, was caught red-handed Monday after the motorcycle's owner, Cas Redi, saw him and screamed for help.

"Many people at the nearby parking lot that afternoon chased Deni, who wore a military uniform, and mobbed him before handing him over to Tangerang police," Aritonang said.

Deni claimed that he was a chief corporal from the local district command's medical unit and lived in the Yankav 9 dormitory, Tangerang, he said.

The suspect is believed to have committed similar crimes prior to his arrest Monday.

Aritonang said the man intentionally wore a uniform, hoping that people would not become suspicious when he began "checking" motorcycles in the public parking lot.

He was handed over to Military Police so it could be proved whether he was a military officer. (cst)