Three suspects shot dead, another arrested

JAKARTA (JP): Three alleged criminals were gunned down and another one was arrested during police raids in East and Central Jakarta yesterday, increasing this year's death toll of suspects' shooting to at least 80.

One of the dead suspects, identified as Mustari, and his friend named Enjang, who was arrested yesterday, were allegedly involved in an armed robbery at the Gunung Mas convenient store in Kramat Jati, East Jakarta, early last week, police said.

While the two other dead suspects, identified only as Simangunsong and SU, were involved in an armed robbery on a taxi driver in Senen, Central Jakarta.

City Police Spokesman Lt. Col. E. Aritonang said yesterday the shootings were caused by suspects trying to flee or attack officers and ignoring police warning shots.

"We never hurt nor shoot suspects who gave up themselves without any hassle. Police officers only use guns in a very critical condition or for self-defense," Aritonang said.

The official number of suspects who have been shot dead by police has not been available. However, it is strongly believed 70 people were killed in the period between January and July.

Out of the 10 other dead suspects, three were shot in August, four in September and three this month.

Some of the gunned down suspects were shot during arrests while the others during police tracking on the suspects' accomplices.

Aritonang said Mustari was shot at around 2:30 a.m. yesterday after he tried to run and attacked the officers who took him together with Enjang to trace the two men's accomplices on Jl. RS Polri in Kramat Jati area.

Mustari, a resident of Jl. Kambing, Batu Ampar in East Jakarta, was shot three times at both his legs and his right chest.

Aritonang said both Mustari and Enjang were convicts who had previously served some jail terms for the crimes they committed.

"The two have been hunted by police for several robberies they committed this year. Police are still looking for at least six accomplices of the two's," Aritonang said.

He said Mustari's gang had allegedly robbed Sidarta Nugroho, the owner of the Gunung Mas store, at gun point and made off with some cash of Rp 8.5 million (US$2,297).

"The gang is also believed to be involved in at least three other armed robberies and has made off with over Rp 6 million," he said.

The men were hoodlums who extorted traders at the Kramat jati market, Aritonang said.

However, relatives of Mustari yesterday denied the allegations made against him, saying that Mustari was an ordinary fish trader and not a criminal.

"We start selling fishes at the Kramat Jati at around 3 or 4 a.m. daily, and usually around 7 a.m. we're ready to go home to sleep," they said, adding that their time was mostly spent for their business.

"As far as I know, he never has any problems with police," they said.

They also said that Mustari was never involved in any quarrel with fellow traders, let alone attacking police officers.

"We're from Madura. Being far away from our hometown makes us all like brothers. We won't kill each other just for the sake of money and business," they said.

Meanwhile, the two other dead suspects, Simangunsong and SU, were shot yesterday while they were hijacking a Spirit taxi driven by Sumantri.

Aritonang said the two had pointed a knife and sickle to the driver and the passenger, a woman identified as Yolda Mayer of South Jakarta.

He said that it was still not clear how the two could get into the occupied taxi. "It's possible that they get into it when the taxi stopped at a traffic light."

The driver had intentionally driven recklessly and secretly turned on the emergency light on the taxi's roof to attract people's attention, Aritonang said.

"Police patrol followed the taxi from the Gambir train station because as soon as they saw the emergency light on," he said.

The driver had also intentionally smashed the car into the roadside in front of the Rivoli theater in Senen so that it could stop and enabled the police to help him, he said.

"The officers chased the two suspects who tried to run away, but they were involved in a fight with the suspects. The officers then have no choice but to shoot them both," Aritonang said.

Bambang H.P., an assistant to forensic doctors at the Cipto hospital, said Simangunsong was shot on the head and right chest, while SU was shot at the back and right leg,

Bambang said doctors estimated their age as 38 and 40 years old respectively. "Both men had dragon tattoos in their arms," he said.

An officer who accompanied the bodies to the morgue said, "Bad guys should be gunned down." (04/cst)