Taxi robber arrested

JAKARTA (JP): A 21-year-old man who allegedly specialized in robbing taxi drivers was arrested yesterday after trying to hail the taxi whose driver he had just robbed.

The suspect, identified as Chairul, was arrested on Jl. Mampang Raya in South Jakarta at around 1 a.m. yesterday, shortly after getting out of a Hera Utama taxi whose driver, Armi Asril, he had robbed of Rp 20,000 (US$8.50) while threatening him with a pair of scissors.

"The taxi driver quickly returned to the scene, a few meters from the place where the suspect asked to be dropped off, with a police officer. The officer decided to hide inside the cab," Capt. Bayu from the Jakarta Police information unit said.

Due to the dim light in the area, Chairul waved his hands at Armi's taxi, signaling it to stop.

Soon after the suspect tried to open the door, the officer handcuffed Chairul, confiscating the scissors and Rp 20,000. (bsr)