Students rob bus passengers

BEKASI (JP): Eight armed high school students robbed on Thursday several passengers on a bus plying the Bekasi - Pulogadung route.

One of the students was immediately arrested by a policeman who, by coincidence, was passing by the bus robbery, which took place in front of Metro Mall Bekasi on Jl.Achmad Yani. All the robbers are in the third grade of Mercu Buana technical high school.

Three of the bus passengers reported the robbery to Bekasi Police. They said the students got on the bus at Jl. Auri.

"When the bus started moving the students suddenly took out machetes and sickles, ordering all passengers to surrender their wallets and jewelry," Budi, a victim, said.

Some scared passengers allowed them to take their valuables and cash.

"Fortunately, they did not hurt us even though we couldn't offer any money or valuables," Budi said, adding that almost all the students were armed with sharp weapons.

Budi said while the students were busy collecting passengers' belongings, a police officer just happened to pass by.

"We shouted, telling the driver to halt the bus. Seven of the students, who were aware of the police officer, managed to escape. Only one was arrested," he said. (01)