Two arrested for robbery

JAKARTA (JP): Residents in Kayu Putih, East Jakarta, apprehended two men for allegedly attempting to rob a driver early Friday.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said on Friday the robbery attempt took place at about 12:30 p.m. at a gas station on Jl. Kayu Putih.

The suspects, identified as Sumadi and Samroni, are detained at the East Jakarta Police Station, Lubis said.

The driver, Bagus Balilai, a resident of Jl. Pelepah Kuning, told local police he stopped in his Kijang van for gas.

"When he pulled out his wallet to pay for the gas, the two men sped up on their motorcycle and hit the rear window to startle the victim," Lubis said.

The men tried to snatch Bagus' wallet when they passed him, Lubis added.

Although he did not discuss the actions of the gas station attendants, Lubis said local residents caught the men after they heard Bagus' repeated shouts.

No injuries were reported, but the suspects were rushed to the police station to prevent people from taking the law into their own hands.(emf)