Three arrested for theft at Grand Hyatt

JAKARTA (JP): Three men have been arrested for allegedly attempting to steal dozens of packs of cigarettes and bottles of imported liqueur from the bar of a five-star hotel in Central Jakarta.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday that the men were caught red-handed about 4 a.m. on the Grand Hyatt's fifth floor.

He alleged that the suspects had stolen 25 packs of cigarettes before going to a bar on the fifth floor to collect the liqueur.

Police provided no details about the alcohol but Aritonang quoted the hotel's management as saying that five bottles of liqueur could have an estimated value of Rp 2.3 million (US$707).

The three suspects were identified as Iswandi, Irwan Hamsyah, and Sudirman, all in their early 20s, Aritonang said.

"One of them, Irwan, was reportedly a former employee of the hotel."

He said a waitress noticed the suspects packing away some bottles of liqueur behind the bar.

She called the hotel's security guards and the men were caught before they managed to leave the hotel.

Menteng Police are still interrogating the suspects, he said. (cst)