Woman arrested for Rp 2b heist

JAKARTA: A woman, identified as Sri Sulastri, 38, was arrested for stealing jewelry and cash valued at Rp 2 billion (US$235,294) in at least three separate incidents in South Jakarta.

She was arrested by police on Tuesday afternoon at a house owned by Sri Cahyani Diah in Lebak Bulus, Cilandak, South Jakarta, when the suspect attempted to apply for a job as a maid in the victim's home.

Apparently, the victim's father, Sumarso, had previously been robbed by the suspect. Sulastri, who worked for only two hours as a maid for Sumarso had managed to steal jewelry worth Rp 1 billion.

The victim, recognized the suspect from her father's description. Her suspicion increased as the suspect had arrived in a rented Toyota Kijang van.

She then contacted the police.

At the Cilandak police subprecinct, the suspect was identified by her other victims, Samsul and Mubasaroh, a Pakistani. They suffered losses of Rp 400 million in jewelry and RP 50 million in cash respectively.

Police seized from the victim three ID cards under different names. -- JP