Three killed in East Jakarta

JAKARTA (JP): Three men were killed at three different locations on Monday night in East Jakarta, police chief Lt. Col. Hidayat said on Tuesday.

The first two bodies were found murdered at separate locations, while one was shot dead by police as he attempted to rob bus passengers.

Hidayat identified the first body as Herman, 24, who was found at the residence of Kozikir, 34, in Jembatan village, Pengillingan, Cakung.

"We strongly suspect the murderer to be Kozikir, who is on the run. His wife Ervira found the lifeless body in a pool of blood in her house at about 7 p.m.," Hidayat said at the East Jakarta Police Station.

The officer did not disclose the relationship between the two men.

"Ervira was out of the house since Monday morning. When she returned, she found the dead body," Hidayat said.

Herman suffered a stab wound to the right side of his chest, his lips were severed to his chin and his nose was smashed.

Badaruddin, 27, was believed to have been stabbed to death by a group of some 15 people in the Kampung Rambutan area in East Jakarta.

"Badaruddin was having trouble with a group of youths who directed traffic at a U-turn in the area, right in front of a gas station.

"Badaruddin's group of friends and another gang have been fighting since Friday night over the business to guard the traffic at the U-turn," Hidayat said.

"On Monday, the rival group found Badaruddin alone in the Kampung Rambutan area. They killed him."

Yudha, 29, who was identified as a homeless man, was shot on Jl. D.I. Panjaitan by First Sgt. Kadir of the East Jakarta Police when he resisted arrest after being caught extorting money from people as they alighted from a bus.

"We have been after Yudha for some time now. Many bus passengers have reported him to us. He's famous for holding people up in the Taman Viaduct area of Prumpung," Hidayat said. (ylt/06)