West family saved from robbery

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)