Two men shot dead for resisting arrest

Two men shot dead for resisting arrest

JAKARTA (JP): Police shot dead yesterday a bogus police
officer and a robber in East and Central Jakarta after they
resisted arrest.

City Police Chief Maj. Gen. Hamami Nata confirmed that the
police shot dead an unidentified man, later known as a bogus
officer, in Pondok Kopi, East Jakarta. "He tried to resist
arrest," he said.

He said the "policeman" tried to attack officers who wanted to
arrest him for asking for money from public transportation
drivers in the area.

"He used a sickle to attack the officers and ignored warning
shots," Hamami said. "He was wearing a police uniform underneath
his jacket. But we did not find any police identity cards."

He said the body of the man was still at the Kramatjati Police
Hospital.

The second shooting took place in Johar Baru, Central Jakarta.

Dian Suryaman was shot by a policeman after robbing a woman of
a gold necklace.

Central Jakarta Police Chief Lt. Col. M. Ibrahim said the
police arrested Dian Suryaman, 23, soon after the robbery.

"He was taken to his house to pick up the stolen necklace, but
he escaped through the back door upon arrival," Ibrahim said.

The officers chased Dian and rearrested him at a nearby
cemetery on Jl. Kawi, but the suspect slashed the left hand of
one of the police officers with a knife.

According to Ibrahim, the police shot the suspect in the back,
after firing two warning shots.

At least 27 people have been shot to death in the city and
surrounding areas since January. The police said they were shot
for resisting arrest.

Last year, the police shot dead 46 people for the same reason.

Hamami, defending his subordinates, said the police had the
right to shoot suspects who resisted arrest. "The police are
allowed to shoot people when their lives are threatened."

He said previously the police would continue to monitor ex-
convicts and take stern action if they committed crimes. (jun/04)