Two robber suspects shot dead

JAKARTA (JP): Senen Police subprecinct officers shot dead two unidentified suspects in a robbery attempt on Thursday night, an officer said on Friday.

Senen Police chief Maj. Pratikno said two of his officers had to shoot the suspects because they ignored police warning shots and brandished knives.

Both suspects died of gunshot wounds to the chest. Their bodies were admitted to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital's morgue.

"The suspects were forcefully trying to grab the victim's backpack when Sgt. Maj. Surono and Sgt. Arjul Harahap were passing Jl. Kramat Bunder," Pratikno said.

He said the victim was later identified as Saring, a worker on his way home to Kebumen, Central Java. Saring was not injured during the incident.

Pratikno said the police could not identify the names of the two suspects.

"But local vendors and people in the neighborhood recognized them as the culprits in a recent slew of robberies in the area," he said, adding that the two were often seen forcing vendors and public transportation drivers to pay them toll.

Pratikno said he had sent officers to closely observe security in the crime-prone area in Senen two weeks ago. Police had received increasing reports on criminal activities in the area since the beginning of the economic crisis. (06)