Teenager arrested for attempted robbery

JAKARTA (JP): A 14-year-old junior high school student has been arrested in Bekasi, West Jakarta, for allegedly attempting to rob a taxi driver, police said.

City Police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday the student, Andi Nasution, was caught by residents at the Taman Galaxy housing estate Thursday night.

He refused to disclose the name of Andi's school.

"The suspect is being held at the Bekasi Precinct for further questioning. It's still unclear why he tried to commit such a crime," said Aritonang.

He said Andi had stopped a Ratax taxi driven by Sukendi, 30, on the street near the estate's front gate.

Andi reportedly asked Sukendi to drive him into the housing complex, saying that a resident had asked him to call for a taxi, he said.

"Somewhere in the estate area, Andi, who was sitting in the back seat, suddenly put a knife to Sukendi's neck, slightly cutting him.

"The driver got mad and resisted the suspect," Aritonang reported Sukendi as saying during questioning.

The two fought each other while Sukendi screamed for help, he said.

A patrolling security officer at the estate and some residents quickly came to Sukendi's aid and caught the suspect, he said.

The taxi driver only suffered from the minor cut to his neck.

Aritonang said Andi would be taken to court to take responsibility for the crime.

"Even though he's a child, there is no excuse. If he is found to have done wrong, he will be tried and later jailed at a children's penitentiary," he said.

Andi could face a maximum nine years in jail if found guilty of attempted robbery and assault with a sharp weapon. (cst)