Soldier arrested on robbery charges

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

A military (TNI) personnel identified as SY, 32, and a civilian identified as SP, 34, were arrested by police and several local residents on Wednesday evening for stealing a cellular phone from a woman identified as Magdalena in Cibubur, East Jakarta.

City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Tjiptono said that the two suspects were now being detained at Pasar Rebo Police station.

"We are questioning them intensively. We hope we can finish the case file right away and send it to prosecutor because we have all the necessary evidence," he said.

Tjiptono refused to specify the rank, or the position of the soldier, saying that police were still waiting for confirmation from military leaders.

Using a motorcycle, SY and SP forced Magdalena to the side of road on Jl. Cibubur near the Cibubur shooting range in East Jakarta, and took her cellular phone.

However, both men were very panicky and ran away immediately as Magdalena, who was angry and surprised, screamed for help.

A policeman, who was on duty in the area, chased SY and SP and called up his office for backup.

The two robbers were apprehended by several police officers and local residents four kilometers from the site of the incident on Jl. Raya Bogor, Pasar Rebo, East Jakarta.

"Neither resisted arrest as they realized they could be beaten up by local residents," said Tjiptono.

It was revealed later that SY lived at Yon Angbekud barracks in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, while SP lived in Gedong subdistrict, Pasar Rebo, also in East Jakarta.

Police confiscated the cellular phone, grinded screwdriver for key, and motorcycle with license plate B4171, as evidence.

Police have nabbed several TNI personnel recently for various crimes, including robbery, kidnapping, drug dealing, possession of illegal firearms and extortion.

Last week, police revealed that they were searching for at least seven TNI personnel linked to kidnapping and extortion of a businessman.