Two arrested for robbing gas station

JAKARTA (JP): Police arrested two employees of a gas station in Taman Cibodas in Jatiuwung, Tangerang, on Friday for their alleged roles in a robbery of the station.

City police spokesman Lt. Col. Zainuri Lubis said the suspects, Joko and Ridwan, along with two accomplices who are still at large, stole Rp 11.6 million (US$1,300) from the station.

"The two arrested suspects are employees at the station. They were not working at the time of the robbery," Lubis said.

He said the four robbers arrived at the gas station at 1 p.m. on two motorcycles.

"Joko and Ridwan were waiting with the motorcycles while their friends broke into the station's office," Lubis said.

The two suspects overwhelmed an employee who was sleeping in the office, binding his hands and gagging him.

The robbers then broke into the cash drawer, took the money and fled the station, Lubis said.

Two police officers who passed by the station a few minutes later freed the employee.

Based on the man's testimony, the police began to search for the suspects, he said.

Police arrested Joko and Ridwan at their respective houses, he said.

"We are still searching for the other two suspects," Lubis said. (jun)