Taxi stolen, driver wounded

JAKARTA (JP): A Dian Taxi driver had his car stolen on Thursday night and was dumped in Jl. Sentra Primer, a quiet street in Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta, by three men he had pick up as passengers.

Jakarta Police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said on Friday that the incident took place while taxi driver Hendi, 30, was driving the three men from Klender to Jl. Sentra Primer in Pondok Kopi.

"Without showing any suspicious signs, one of the men, sitting in the front seat, pulled out a sharp weapon and aimed it at Hendi's neck as soon as they reached the destination," Lubis said.

The two other culprits suddenly attacked Hendi and forcefully took over the steering wheel.

"Hendi was later kicked out of the taxi with his left ear nearly severed and one of his fingers wounded," Lubis said.

Hendi was helped by local residents after a passing motorcyclist alerted them to his predicament. (emf)