Two arrested over security guard killing

JAKARTA (JP): South Jakarta Police detectives have arrested two suspects Friday in connection with the killing of an off-duty security guard in Pela Mampang subdistrict, Mampang Prapatan, South Jakarta, on Thursday.

South Jakarta Police chief Col. Nono Suprijono said on Friday that the suspects, identified as Yahya Marasabesy and Taher, were unofficial parking attendants who on Thursday allegedly murdered Nicholas Kopong Dilaga, 28, in an act of revenge.

"Yahya has more or less confessed that he became enraged upon hearing that the wife of his distant cousin, Romly, was teased and bothered by an Ambonese," Nono told reporters at South Jakarta Police station.

"So he gathered his friends, went after a guy who he thought looked like the man who teased his cousin's wife, and hacked him to death."

Nicholas, a Florinese, was killed in an act of blind revenge, Nono said.

Police confiscated a machete hidden under the refrigerator at Yahya's residence on Jl. Gotong Royong, Ciledug, Tangerang, at 9:45 p.m. on Thursday.

Taher was arrested at his residence on Jl. Bangka, close to where the murder took place on Friday.

Nicholas, who worked as a security guard at private Indosiar TV station for the last three years, died of slash wounds to his torso and head, with several deep back wounds reaching his chest cavity.

He was visiting a relative's home when a group of men armed with machetes surrounded the house and started yelling. After repeatedly telling the mob he was not the man they were looking for, Nicholas attempted to flee via the roof. The men chased and caught him.

Earlier, local police had said there were at least 10 suspects in the killing.

"We are looking for three others," Nono said. (ylt)