Weapons seized from burglars

BOGOR (JP): Detectives of the Bogor Regional Police have confiscated eight pen guns with six bullets and 59 bullets of different calibers from a member of a noted gang of burglars specializing in villa burglaries in the area.

Chief Col. Edi Darnadi briefed reporters on Thursday that suspect Eko, who allegedly had a role in assembling the handmade guns, was arrested during a raid on Tuesday.

The bullets and firearms were confiscated on the same day at the home of Ase Pesor, a technician, in Cicurug, Sukabumi.

The bullets have different calibers, including those for FN guns.

"Ase Pesor is being detained at the Purwakarta Police for several robbery and murder cases," Edi said.

He said the weapons were assembled by Eko, alias Joko, who then asked Ace to mold the parts to be assembled.

"We received information from residents when we were investigating cases of villa burglaries," he said.

"Two of my officers then went undercover as local farmers to set Ade up. They went to Ade's residence in Cicurug, asking for the (illegal) goods," he added.

Ade said he had been in the business for three months and had sold two pen guns.

"I sold one with three bullets for between Rp 1 million and Rp 1.5 million (US$117 and $176). For a rifle, I sold each unit for between Rp 13 million and Rp 17 million," Ade said.

The detectives also received leads on cases of villa burglaries in the area of Cianjur, Sukabumi and Bogor.

"On Tuesday, we also managed to catch another gang with suspects Misbahudin, Ujang Endi, Herman, Wahyu, and Tolib, who was shot in the leg for resisting arrest," Edi said.

"We are still following four other members of the gang," he said.

Edi said the gang always studied a villa before burglarizing it.

"They wait until the villas are occupied by owners or guests. Then they break in and tie the victims up."

They are also very easily provoked to use firearms and machetes if the victims resist," he said. (21/nvn)