Thu, 20 May 1999

Theft at Ilham Habibie's mansion

BANDUNG: A burglary at the mansion of Ilham Habibie, the eldest son of President B.J. Habibie, at Jl. Rancabentang 48 here is yet to be solved, an officer said.

Bandung regional police chief Col. Doddy Sumantyawan said on Tuesday police were still questioning three military officers posted at the house and six civilians, including Ilham's spouse, and a security guard at aircraft manufacturer PT IPTN.

"We need to question all of the people who were at the house when the crime took place. How could not one of the four guards, all armed with weapons, have no idea about the theft?" Doddy said.

The three military officers consisted of two military police personnel and an intelligence officer from the Siliwangi Regional Military Command.

Ilham is an executive at IPTN.

Doddy told Antara that so far, police have been unable to reveal the estimated number of people involved in the Monday morning's burglary at the two-story house.

The thieves left the house with at least four cameras belonging to Ilham's wife, Insana, Doddy said. He denied local media reports that the burglars made away with a laptop and a cellular phone.