Thieves break into British citizen's home

Abdul Khalik, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta

Four burglars broke into the house of a British citizen in South Jakarta early on Sunday morning, taking away cash, a Rolex watch and electronic goods.

Reports submitted to the city police said that the Briton, identified as Stephen Rupert Graeme, 54, worked for the Embassy of Great Britain in Jakarta, but British embassy press officer Faye Belnis told The Jakarta Post on Tuesday that Graeme was not an employee of the embassy.

City Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Tjiptono said the burglars broke into Graeme's house on Jl. Anggur III/5 in Cipete Selatan, Cilandak, South Jakarta at 1:45 a.m. on Sunday and tied up the victim with electrical cable.

"Two burglars threatened the victim with knives and then tied him up, while the other two took all the valuables in the house, including electronic appliances, watches, and cash," Tjiptono told the Post.

He said the robbers managed to escape in a minibus waiting outside the house.

"The victim was unharmed although he is still traumatized by the incident," said Tjiptono, adding that the Briton reported the incident only on Monday.

Tjiptono said his office was now checking the position of Graeme at the British embassy. Official reports submitted to police did not specify what position Graeme held.

Belnis acknowledged that Graeme was a British citizen, but stressed that he was not affiliated with the embassy.

"Although he is a British citizen, he is not our consul general nor an employee of the British embassy," she told the Post.

Tjiptono said police were now questioning several witnesses, including Taryo, an employee at the house.

Armed robberies in housing complexes in South Jakarta are on the rise, according to police.

Several days earlier, several burglars broke into the house of pharmaceutical businessman Hanafi, 55, in Lebak Bulus, also in South Jakarta, and managed to escape with millions of rupiah and several valuables.