Warehouse bandit shot dead

JAKARTA (JP): Penjaringan police in North Jakarta shot dead on Saturday a man who had been caught red-handed by Muara Karang residents breaking into several stores at a warehousing complex, an officer said.

The Penjaringan police officer, who asked for anonymity, said that police shot 35-year-old Romsie Kurniawan in the back as he resisted arrest.

According to him, the resident of Ciledug, Tangerang, had been severely beaten by the local residents before being taken to the police.

"The suspect suffered serious injuries to his body and face," the officer said.

On the way to the Penjaringan police station escorted by some residents, Romsie managed to escape.

The police were alerted and quickly began a search. He was spotted but refused to surrender with one of the officers firing his gun at the suspect's back.

The police are still in the dark about his accomplices, who, along with Romsie, had reportedly stolen goods from the warehouses at about 11 a.m. on Saturday.

"While his accomplices managed to escape, Romsie was arrested by the complex's security guards and local residents," the officer said.

The body of Romsie was taken to the Cipto Mangunkusumo General Hospital for a postmortem examination. (jun)