Fifth perpetrator in failed rape attempt arrested

Jakarta Police said on Friday that they had arrested the fifth suspect of the failed robbery and attempted rape of a female passenger in a public minivan in Gambir, Central Jakarta, in the late hours on July 23.

“The suspect, identified as B, was arrested in Mayestik, South Jakarta, on Thursday morning. With his arrest, we have caught all perpetrators in the case,” police spokesman Sr. Comr. Rikwanto said.

The other four suspects who have been arrested previously were identified as AA, F, NS, and D.

Office worker IS, 31, reported the incident to police on July 24 after all five suspects reportedly tried to mug and rape her in a C-01 public minivan near Lapangan Banteng in Central Jakarta.

The attempt failed when a Military Special Forces (Kopassus) soldier, Nicholas Sandi Harewan, gave chase until the suspects through IS out of the minivan in front of the Supreme Court building on Jl. Medan Merdeka Utara.

All suspects are detained at the Central Jakarta Police office. The police have charged them with felony theft and indecency, which can carry up to nine years in prison if proven guilty. (iwa)