Two IPB security officers shot death in motorcycle theft

Two security officers of the Bogor Agricultural Institute (IPB) in Bogor, West Java, were shot to death by armed men who stole a motorcycle near the institution’s mosque during prayers on Friday afternoon.

IPB’s secretary Bonny Soekarno was quoted by Antara news agency as saying that the two officers were guarding the Al-Hurriyah Mosque during Friday prayers when they spotted two men inspecting the engine of a parked motorcycle.

The two officers, Supriatna, 44, and Suhardi, 46, immediately attacked the suspects but one of thieves pulled out a gun and fired four shots, killing Supriatna instantly.

Suhardi was rushed to the Karya Bhakti Bogor Hospital but succumbed to his wounds.

Bogor criminal investigations unit chief Adj. Comr. Imron Ermawan said separately that the thieves had fled the scene and were currently at large. (asa)