Three of Padang ATM Thieves Shot Dead 'Armed Robbers Keep Targeting Banks and Their Facilities in Indonesia'

Padang, Indonesia (News Today) - Police have shot dead three men who took part in the theft of three automatic teller machines (ATMs) that were installed at the Bung Hatta University campus here on Saturday, a spokesman said.

"The three suspects were shot dead in a raid following the ATM robbery," Deputy Chief of Padang city police Adjunct Senior Commissioner Wisnu Handoko said here Saturday.

Three other suspects sustained serious shot wounds. Their condition remained critical, Handoko said.

The robbers’ dead bodies had been evacuated to the West Sumatran provincial police hospital while the injured ones got medical treatment, he said. The police chased the six robbers, who escaped to Jorong Surau Baru hilly areas in Nagari Pakan Senayan Banuhampu sub-district, Agam district, West Sumatra, at 02.00 pm local time.

In the raid, the police and armed robbers got involved in the exchange of fire. As a result, three robbers were killed and three others sustained serious injuries, he said. The police could identify the six suspects thanks to the Bank Nagari’s CCTV installed near the robbed ATM booth and the explanations of some witnesses, Handoko said.

"After identifying the suspects, our men chases them in a coordinated operation involving those from Padang Pariaman and Bukittinggi police precincts," he said.

The armed robbery that involved 15 people occurred inside the Bung Hatta University campus on Saturday at 04.00 am local time after the criminals locked three security guards up, he said.The robbers damaged three ATMs but only two contained money, namely the ones belonging to Bank Bukopin and Bank Nagari, he said.

They escaped with a few hundred million rupiah in cash. Besides capturing the six suspects, the police also seized an Avanza van, a Beretta pistol, five revolvers and ammunition.

"We are still chasing other suspects because we believe the armed robbery was done by 15 people," he said.

Armed robberies have become a trend in Indonesia over the past two months. Last August 15, a group of armed men stormed the CIMB Niaga Bank in Medan, capital city of North Sumatra province. The National Police still hunted 15 people suspected of involving in this bank heist.

"Fifteen suspects have been put on our wanted persons list in connection with the CIMB Niaga Bank robbery" National Police Chief General Bambang Hendarso Danuri said.

Five of the suspects put on the police’s wanted list played the role of leaders in the robbery. They are Taufik Hidayat, Jefri alias Kamal, Alex Cecept Gunawan, Suroso, Andi Maralon, Ansi Solo, Sugiono, Herman, Iwan alias Pak Tuo and Yusron, he said.

The suspects were accused of involving in terrorist ring. These people were ready to die and conduct "fai" or robbery on those considered kafir (infidels), Danuri said. In another recent incident, an armed gang attacked a police station in Hamparan Perak, North Sumatra, leaving three police officers on duty dead.

Source : kompas

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