You can run but you can't hide

JAKARTA (JP): A West Java man was forced to pull out from the village leadership race and spend his days behind bars after the police recognized him as the thief they were tracking down.

Na alias Mastuni, 29, had to bury his ambition to become the next number one of Pringwulung village, Serang, about 100 kilometers west of here, when police arrested him on Nov. 20.

The village chief hopeful was arrested while he was taking part in a course on the state ideology Pancasila that the local government held for the candidates, Antara reported yesterday.

The alleged criminal passed the first hurdle when he managed to obtain police clearance to enter the race. But detectives recognized his photograph in a final screening process.

Serang police detective First Lieutenant Muhadi said Mastuni was wanted for stealing stove parts that he sold for Rp 240,000 (US$63) from PT Hitachi at the Cikande industrial estate on July 17.

His accomplices, Arifin, 27, and Irwan, 31, have been jailed. Muhadi said Mastuni would have to forget the race for now because he would be taken to court very soon. (pan)