Two ex-convicts shot dead

BANDUNG, West Java (JP): Two ex-convicts who allegedly repeatedly committed vehicular theft with violence were shot dead in Bandung for attacking police officers during an early hour search on Wednesday.

Central Bandung Police chief of detectives Adj. Comr. Suwondo said police shot Slamet Firmansyah, 29, and Topan Rizal, 28, when the two attacked police officers who were trying to apprehend them.

"We've been tracking them down for some time but they always managed to escape," Suwondo said.

He said the thefts conducted by the two ex-convicts had caused alarm among Bandung residents as they often tortured their victims before stealing the vehicles.

Police found a sword, a crowbar, a bundle of master keys and three nails for puncturing vehicle tires on the bodies of the deceased.(25/01)