Street vendors attack customers

JAKARTA (JP): East Jakarta Police detained on Saturday a street vendor for provoking an attack against a customer.

According to police the street vendor, Amri Deni, urged his fellow vendors to mob two men who decided not to go ahead with the purchase of a Rp 15,000 Zippo lighter at Jendral Urip street market on Jl. Matraman Raya, East Jakarta.

According to one of the victims, Hendra, the vendor refused to offer them a bargain for the lighter.

"We didn't buy the lighter because we realized that it was not a real Zippo lighter," Hendra, who at the time was accompanied by Izul, 25, later told The Jakarta Post.

Hendra said that after leaving the place, the vendor shouted at his colleagues who suddenly attacked them.

"One of the vendor's colleagues even stole my golden necklace," Hendra said, adding that Izul suffered wounds and bruises and had to be taken to hospital.

An officer at police headquarters said such incidents frequently occur with customers who refuse to make a purchase, despite bargaining down the price.

"So be careful when purchasing goods at street markets," the officer warned. (01)