Three most-wanted bank robbers nabbed

JAKARTA (JP): West Jakarta Police have arrested three alleged ringleaders of a notorious gang believed to have been involved in robbing bank customers in and around the city for at least two years.

Preliminary investigation disclosed that the suspects and three other accomplices, who are still being hunted, allegedly collected at least Rp 250 million (US$96,150) in their operations last year alone, head of the local police, Lt. Col. Bakat Purwanto, said yesterday.

Police identified the three suspects as Ahmad Jaenudin, 34, Somad, 30, and Toyib, 28.

"They were nabbed in separate raids recently," said Bakat.

Toyib was captured at his home early yesterday morning following a tip from Ahmad and Somad, who were arrested earlier this week in Ciampea, Bogor, West Java, and at Cisoka in Tangerang, respectively.

According to Bakat, the three men often used sharp weapons, such as machetes and sickles, to threat their victims.

Police are also investigating a tip off that the suspects had also used handguns in some of their operations.

"We're still looking for the guns, which the other three gang members might be keeping," said Bakat.

The other wanted suspects are believed to be hiding outside the city, said the officer while accompanying Jakarta Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata, who visited the West Jakarta Police precinct to take a close look at the three arrested men.

Hamami reminded the public not to hesitate to ask for free police protection when transporting large sums of money.

"Bank customers can call the police for protection or ask their banks to do it for them and our officers will immediately come to escort them to and from the banks," said Hamami. (cst)