Prodigal son home, $10,000 spent

The Jakarta Post , Jakarta/Depok | Wed, 04/02/2008 1:56 AM | City

A nine-year-old boy safely returned home Tuesday morning after running away for four days and spending thousands of dollars taken from his father.

Ahmad Legal Civiandi, or Vian, was taken home by a bajaj driver, Jono, who recognized the boy while he was walking in Kebayoran Baru area, South Jakarta, on Monday night.

Vian ran away Thursday night after being grounded for not doing his homework. He took a bag belonging to his father that contained more than US$10,000.

From his house in Griya Cinere, Depok, he went directly to a money changer in a mall in Cilandak, South Jakarta, but staff turned him away.

Vian spent the night at the security post in the mall and gave security guard Asep Eka $500 to accompany him to two money changers the next morning to change $900. They then went to Blok M, where the boy bought an MP3 player, a game console and a cellular phone.

Later that day, Asep took Vian to his school, Dwi Matra elementary school in Cilandak. Once there, Vian ran away again.

Vian spent the next three days wandering around, buying toys and playing at game centers in various malls, he said in a press conference Tuesday.

The boy, who has two siblings, said he slept at Hotel Tulip, a small hotel in Kebayoran Baru.

On Monday evening, the bajaj driver, Jono, recognized Vian from the media coverage. He took the boy to his home in Radio Dalam, South Jakarta, before returning him to his parents in Depok.

Vian's father, Ahmad Mugiarto, said he was glad his son had come back safely.

"I thank God for this. Our family is very happy with his safe return," Ahmad said at Limo Police precinct in Depok.

"I don't want to talk about the money. I have wholeheartedly let it go. (What is) most important is my son's safety."

Ahmad had planned to use the money to take his family on a haj pilgrimage.

Ahmad earlier reported Asep to the police, who then detained the security guard. Ahmad withdrew his complaint against Asep after the boy returned home.

Precinct chief Adj. Comr. Supoyo said Asep would be released soon. (dre)

Comments (0) | Post comment

A | A | A |