Timber thief shot dead by police

SEMARANG, Central Java: A man was shot dead on Saturday after being caught red-handed with hundreds of his friends chopping down trees in the Jinggotan subdistrict in Jepara, some 40 kilometers north of here.

The suspected thief, identified as Suhadi, 30, was shot for defying warning shots and trying to attack the forest wardens who chased him with an axe.

"The officers shot the looters in self defense. The shots were fired in accordance with standard procedures," Jepara Police Chief, Lt. Col. Monang Manulang told Antara.

Four other suspects were arrested. Tree trunks and a small truck they used to carry the teakwood were confiscated.

Timber looting has increased in the past few months, according to Manulang. Within the last three days, the crime has cost the state Rp 276 million in losses.

During the past three months, local police shot three alleged looters, and a police officer also died while chasing looters. (04)