West family saved from robbery
JAKARTA (JP): Police foiled a robbery attempt and shot dead a burglar who, along with four accomplices, attempted to rob a house in West Jakarta early yesterday morning.
Lt. Col. Latief Rabar, spokesman for the city police, told reporters police fatally shot a robber and wounded another as the criminals desperately tried to assault the officers assigned to capture them.
Police have yet to capture three other suspects who managed to escape. "We already know their identities. It's only a matter of time before we arrest them all," said Latief.
The robbery attempt took place at around 3 a.m. in the house of businessman Fadel Subarja on Jl. Meruya Selatan, Kembangan district, West Jakarta.
Police said at the time there were three persons at home, Helena, who is Subarja's wife, their daughter Elisabet, 20, a university student, and Karmin, their domestic helper.
The five burglars, two of whom were wearing masks, leapt into the backyard of the house after climbing a wall by ladder.
"They wore police belts and jackets to give the impression that they were officers," said Latief.
The criminals attempted breaking into the house via the left door, which lead to Helena being awakened by the noise.
Frightened, Helena telephoned her husband Subarja who told her to get in touch with the police. But while she was on phone to the Kebun Jeruk district police, the criminals cut the telephone line and entered the house.
"But the police already had the address and the message," Latief explained.
Under threat of sharp weapons, the robbers herded Helena, Elisabet and Karmin to the bathroom where they tied and gagged them.
In the meantime a four member police team, including two detectives, together with a night watchman and Subarja arrived at the house.
When the officers stormed the house three of the criminals managed to escape, leaving their two accomplices behind, one hiding behind a cupboard, another under a bed.
Under the bed
While the officers searched the premises, the robber hiding under the bed, later identified as Hasmi, 29, suddenly moved out of his hiding place and assaulted an officer. But the alert officer managed to advert danger and shot Hasmi in the leg.
The criminal hiding behind the cupboard, identified as Herman, 34, also made a desperate attack on an officer by lunging at him with a sickle in his hand. The officer had no choice but to shoot, wounding him in the chest, Latief said. The robber died instantly.
The police confiscated some material evidence, including a wristwatch which is believed to belong to one of the robbers, some machetes, several nails and a set of tools believed to have been used in breaking the door open. (jsk)