Theft ring leader shot dead

TANGERANG (JP): Police shot dead a man believed to be the leader of a vehicle theft ring during the Berantas Jaya Operation early on Thursday in Merak village, Balaraja district.

Tangerang Police deputy chief of detectives Insp. Kustanto said Apang G. Sanan, alias Deden, 33, was shot for resisting arrest and attacking officers with a sickle.

He said police had long pursued Apang, the suspected head of four gang members who are still at large.

Kustanto said Apang and his accomplices usually rode RX King motorcycles during their heists and would wound their victims before taking their motorcycle or car.

According to police records, the gang had stolen 12 motorcycles and one Toyota Kijang.

Kustanto added that Apang escaped from the Sepatan Police detention center after he was arrested for motorcycle theft in 1989.(41)