Two former Army members netted in police operation

JAKARTA (JP): Two ex-servicemen, believed to be members of a group of vehicle thieves operating in Central Jakarta, were arrested during a routine police operation on Sunday, an officer said.

Central Jakarta Police chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said on Monday the two former Army members, identified only as Tasli Dewantoro and Rasmadi, were arrested in a Kijang van together with two other suspects, Agus Amba and Muhammad Mustafa.

Police confiscated an FN 45 handgun with four bullets, a number of forged vehicle ownership documents and fake keys from the suspects, Iman said.

"Judging from the items we seized from the suspects, we conclude that they are vehicle thieves, and probably those who pose as security officers to commit their crimes," he said.

According to Iman, the four were arrested in the Patung Tani area, near Jl. Kwitang.

"The four were arrested during a routine operation which is held every night to arrest people carrying weapons, narcotics and those who have no identification cards," he said.

"When we searched the suspects white Kijang van, we found the gun and the other suspicious items."

It is unknown if the police also found Army uniforms in the van.

"We're still developing the case," Iman stated.

The four suspects are still in the custody of the Central Jakarta Police.

In the past few months, vehicle thieves have modified their modus operandi, with a number of the criminals now wearing the uniforms of security personnel in order to stop motorists.

The thieves usually operate in quiet areas and target lone motorists.

The thieves stop passing vehicles, say that they are on-duty officers checking identification cards, or looking for narcotics or weapons inside the vehicles.

Before the motorists realize that the "officers" are really thieves, the crooks have entered the vehicles.

Most of the victims are eventually deserted on toll roads. (emf)