Three killed in robbery in Medan
Three killed in robbery in Medan
Apriadi Gunawan
The Jakarta Post
Medan
Robbers shot dead three people in a heist at the Medan branch of
Bank Lippo on Tuesday, making off with the bank's cash box
containing Rp 133 million (US$13,000).
Two of the bank's security guards, Eddi Ridwansyah and
Syamsuddin, died at the scene. Joni Purba, who worked as a driver
for the bank, died at a hospital belonging to the Police Mobile
Brigade.
Witnesses counted four robbers at the Lippo branch on Jl. Dr.
Mansyur. The heist took place outside the bank at 8:45 a.m. and
lasted for about 10 minutes.
The bank was taking in the cash supply for the day's
transactions, but without the customary police escort. Two of the
robbers shot the driver and the security guards, shooting one
guard in the head and the other in the chest.
"I heard four shots. Three were fired at the victims, another
was fired into the air," said Kamarullah, a witness.
The four robbers escaped the scene on two motorcycles,
carrying the cash box.
The three fatalities: Edi Ridwansyah, 43, and Syamsuddin, 44,
who died on the scene were residents of Jl. Taduan and Jl.
Pembangunan Helvetia respectively.
Another casualty who died at hospital Joni Purba, 30, was
resident of Jl. Mumban Surbakti.
Medan Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Bagus Kurniawan blamed the
Bank Lippo management for not providing the security guards with
weapons.
He suggested that security guards should be given guns to
defend themselves. He said that his office would quickly
investigate the case.
According to Bagus, the fatal incident was the third robbery
this year.
Kamarullah, an eyewitness, said that before killing the
victims four robbers had been waiting at the scene for about 15
minutes.
He added that the four robbers acted quickly when they
realized the cash box was being unloaded from the Kijang van.
Kamarullah meanwhile added that the robbers were thin and
tall. One of them had short hair.
"I did not see their faces because the incident took place
quickly and they escaped in the opposite direction of the
traffic," he added.