Two taxi robbers mobbed to death

JAKARTA (JP): Residents from Kedondong village in Mangun Jaya, Bekasi, fatally mobbed late on Wednesday evening two men from a gang of four who police say were attempting to rob a taxi driver.

Bekasi Police chief Lt. Col. Sutarman identified the dead victims as Oma Irawan and Gandi, alias Malaikat, both 18. Their two accomplices managed to escape.

Sutarman said the driver of the Royal City taxi, Sulaiman, suffered light stab wounds to his waist.

"We're still investigating this case," Sutarman told reporters.

Based on preliminary investigations, the four suspected taxi robbers hailed the taxi on Jl. Pemuda in East Jakarta at 10:30 p.m., asking for a ride to Tambun in Bekasi.

At Kedondong village, one of the men placed a belt around Sulaiman's neck and threatened to strangle him if he fought back, Tambun Police subprecinct chief Capt. Margono said.

"But Sulaiman resisted. Oma got angry and slashed Sulaiman's stomach. Sulaiman pretended to faint and stopped the car," Margono said.

"Thinking that Sulaiman was too weak to react, the four suspects let him go. At that point, Sulaiman immediately accelerated the taxi in reverse, unbalancing the four passengers."

The maneuver alerted nearby residents and gave Sulaiman the chance to get out of the taxi, Margono said.

Sulaiman then screamed for help. Local residents heard him and ran after the taxi, catching the four suspects.

Oma and Malaikat were fatally beaten by the angry crowd. Their two friends escaped.

Police confiscated three knives and the belt used to strangle Sulaiman as evidence.

The corpses of the suspects were driven to Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital morgue. (ylt/06)