Money most common motive behind recent abductions, say police

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Mon, 05/05/2008 11:25 AM

Money is the most common reason for kidnapping in the city, said police.

"Revenge is another motive, but in the last few months, most kidnappers have been looking for money," North Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Muhammad Rum Murkal said Saturday.

The city police and Warta Kota daily newspaper recorded at least 13 abduction cases this year, ten of which involved money.

One man kidnapped a three-year-old boy in West Jakarta to make him a beggar, while another involved three men who kidnapped and raped a female colleague.

Last month, Lin Xiao Hua, aka Hengky Halim, abducted Surini, 30, as she was leaving Mangga Dua Square Mall in North Jakarta.

He took Surini to an empty house in Sunter, took her ATM card and withdrew a total of Rp 20 million (US$2,173) during her five-day abduction. He finally demanded $100,000 ransom from her parents.

The police rescued Surini and shot Lin to death when he was trying to escape after receiving the ransom at Mangga Dua Square Mall.

Rum praised Surini's parents for reporting their daughter's abduction to the police despite Lin having threatened them to remain silent. He said some people did not report abduction cases and let the kidnappers run away.

"I understand the families just want the victims to return safely, which is also our priority. They are willing to pay any amount of money to the kidnappers, however, I encourage them to report the case to the police," he said.

Rum said after a kidnapping report, the police acted silently in trying to trace the location of the victim. This is done while a family member tries to convince the kidnapper not to hurt the victim, he said.

Because most kidnappings targeted women and children, Rum suggested women avoid walking along quiet streets at night. He said parents should also watch their children carefully.

City police spokesman Sr. Comr. Ketut Untung Yoga Ana said he expected the media not to expose abduction cases immediately after the victims' families reported them to the police.

"It's for the victim's sake. The kidnappers also read newspapers," he said.

He warned anyone could be abducted, anywhere at anytime. (ind)

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