Timber thief shot dead by police

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)