Two married men wanted for rape

TANGERANG (JP): Local detectives are searching for two married men who allegedly attacked and raped two teenage maids here.

"I've instructed the detectives to pursue the two suspects, who might have fled from the city," Tangerang Police chief Lt. Col. Iman Haryatna said yesterday.

Iman said the suspects have been identified as Jhoni, 30, the father of one, and Jhoni's cousin Kiki, 35, a father of two.

The victims, identified as 15-year-old Elis, of Cianjur district in West Java and Susilawati, 18, of Nganjuk district in East Java, allegedly told police investigators that they were raped by the two men late Saturday night.

According to the two girls, they had worked for Uyo Wiharja and his family, who live on Jl. Sukamanah III in Sukasari district, for about three months. Jhoni is said to be the son of the maids' employer.

Elis alleged that Jhoni started hugging her tightly from behind after asking her to close the house door.

"He dragged me to the garage and raped me there," she alleged.

The suspect threatened to harm her further if she tried to scream, the teenager told police.

At the same time, Jhoni's cousin, Kiki, allegedly broke into Susilawati's small room and "forced himself" on the maid.

He allegedly used a strangle hold to subdue the teenager when she tried to defend herself.

At dawn, the two girls left the house and reported the case to the police.

When asked, house owner Uyo Wiharja, a gasoline trader, denied that the maids were raped.

"There was no rape here," Ugo said. "It happened because both parties agreed to do so.

"The work atmosphere in my house is so 'friendly' that there's no difference between employers and servants."

A neighbors said he doubted that police would be able to solve the case or arrest the two suspects.

"There are always servicemen visiting the house every day," the neighbor said.

Lt. Col. Iman rejected the neighbors claims, saying that officers "are on the verge of arresting the suspects". (41/bsr)