Taxi driver robbed

JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested Thursday a man for trying to rob a taxi driver on Jl. Matraman, East Jakarta. It was the first attempted robbery of a taxi driver this year.

East Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. Nanan Sukarna said the suspect, Johny, stopped the Maya Kencana taxi on Jl. Cempaka Putih, Central Jakarta and asked the driver, Wawang, to go to the Kampung Rambutan area.

"Johny asked the driver to drive along Jl. Salemba, but the driver refused because it was too far from Kampung Rambutan," Nanan said.

He said the driver asked the suspect to get out of the taxi. "You'd better find another taxi," Nanan quoted Wawang as saying.

The suspect then tried to stab Wawang in the neck demanding his wallet. But the driver blocked the thrust and shouted for help, he said.

Several ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers surrounded the taxi and beat Johny, he said.

He said Johny who lived in West Jakarta, was being treated at Kramatjati Police Hospital, East Jakarta. (jun)