Two arrested for attempted robberies

JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested two people yesterday for attacking ojek (motorcycle taxi) drivers in Bekasi, 35 kilometers east of here, and in Kemayoran, Central Jakarta, thanks to the rapid response by local inhabitants.

Police assume the motive for both attacks was robbery.

The first incident took place in the Kebon Kosong area of Jaka Sampurna housing complex in Bekasi. Tigid, a local ojek driver was attacked from behind by a passenger.

With stab wounds in the chest and stomach, the 30-year-old Tigid was still able to scream for help, at which dozens of residents of Jaka Sampurna rushed to the scene to lend assistance. Some of the residents rushed Tigid to Bekasi general hospital and some of them chased the suspect.

The suspect, identified as Sinan, 20, was then captured with a knife in his possession and handed over to the Bekasi police. The suspect admitted to trying to steal Tigid's motorcycle.

Tigid is now in intensive care at the Bekasi general hospital.

The second case occurred at the Jakarta Fairground in Kemayoran at about 2 a.m. yesterday.

The suspect, Ahmad Sopyan, 19, also failed to escape with the motorcycle after the driver, M. Nasir, 20, fought back and screamed for help.

Local residents and passersby captured the suspect who was also in possession of a knife.

Nasir suffered slight injury to his hands during the struggle.

According to city police spokesman-in-charge, Maj. Nyoman Suryasta, attacks on ojek drivers have became more violent.

Taxi drivers are also the victims of similar violence, he said.

Police have urged both taxi and ojek drivers to protect themselves by equipping themselves with any crime prevention devises they can afford. (bsr)