Two arrested over security guard killing

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)