Turk named suspect in theft

MEDAN, North Sumatra: After two days of investigation, Turkish national Sensettin, 31, was named a suspect on Friday by Medan Police and was charged with hypnotizing and robbing a local resident.

Adj. Comr. Maruli Siahaan, Medan Police chief of detectives, said the case began when Sensettin, along with his wife and a friend, dropped by pet shop Sumber Ternak Makmur Shop on Jl. Pinangbaris, Medan Sunggal, on Wednesday.

The suspect told the shop owner that he wanted to buy mineral water, to which shop owner Pho Sie Dong replied that the pet shop did not sell any mineral water.

Sensettin then asked Pho to change two Rp 50,000 notes with a Rp 100,000 note.

Pho recalled that the last thing he remembered was opening his petty cash drawer.

A few seconds later, he came to his senses and realized that six Rp 100,000 notes was missing from the drawer.

His three Turkish guests had disappeared, so he jumped into his car and spotted their car stopped at an intersection on Jl. Medan-Binjai.

Pho got out and began rapping on the window of the foreigners' car, which attracted the attention of local residents. The three were then taken to the police.

Police are investigating the possibility of naming Sensettin's wife and friend as suspects. -- JP