Tanri latest street crime victim

JAKARTA (JP): Street criminals on the prowl for vehicle side mirrors practice a strict nondiscrimination policy.

Finding out the identity of the car owner is not a priority. Whether the occupant is a VIP or regular citizen does not enter into their single-minded pursuit of the prized mirrors.

Case in point is an attempted robbery on Saturday afternoon at the traffic light in front of Mal Ciputra shopping center in Grogol, West Jakarta.

On the receiving end of the adverse experience was none other than State Minister of the Empowerment of State Enterprises Tanri Abeng.

Six people surrounded his official shiny dark blue Volvo sedan and attempted to steal the side mirrors at about 2 p.m.

"Pak Tanri was alone with his driver when the culprits surrounded the car," the minister's deputy for communications, Sofyan A. Djalil, told The Jakarta Post.

It is just one more incident in the nationwide crime wave which has prompted security authorities to issue a shoot-on-sight order against suspected criminals.

According to Sofyan, one of the culprits was caught by Tanri's driver, who is apparently a police officer.

"The other five managed to flee," he added.

Jakarta Police detectives chief Col. Alex Bambang Riatmojo confirmed the incident but insisted that Tanri, who became a minister after a successful business career, was not in the car.

"His driver, Komang Rai, was driving the car alone from the Grand Hyatt hotel (Central Jakarta). Pak Tanri wasn't inside the car."

Alex said the people were about to steal the mirrors when Komang jumped out of the car, bearing official license plate B 2447 BS.

"One of them was caught and later detained by the police for legal procedures."

Alex said he previously instructed West Jakarta police detectives to rid the area of street criminals following public complaints about robberies and extortion at the Grogol intersection.

"Our men will soon be concentrated there to anticipate such brazen acts."

Less than 24 hours earlier, police shot dead an alleged side mirror thief.

The suspect, identified as Ahmad, alias Samson, 25, died from gunshot wounds to his leg and chest. He was caught red-handed attempting to pull off side mirrors of an Opel Blazer driven by Partoyo in Pecenongan, Central Jakarta, at about 11 p.m. on Friday. (rei/emf/bsr)