Victim returns home after five-day abduction

The Jakarta Post ,  Jakarta   |  Sat, 04/26/2008 12:01 PM  |  Headlines

A kidnapping victim who had been missing for five days was returned home Friday after police found her at the rented house of her abductor.

Surini, 30, had been abducted by Lin Xiao Hua, alias Franky Halim, who was shot dead by police the previous day.

Surini was found with both her hands and legs bound in metal chains when police detectives broke into the empty house in Sunter, North Jakarta, said North Jakarta Police chief Sr. Comr. Muhammad Rum Murkal.

"She was scared when police officers entered the room, which was on the second floor. She thought we were accomplices of the kidnapper," Rum told The Jakarta Post on Friday.

"We did not find any indications of physical or sexual abuse," he added.

After being questioned at the police station, Surini was taken to her parents' home in Penjaringan, also in North Jakarta.

"She's still suffering from emotional trauma. Luckily, she's physically healthy because the kidnapper fed her during the abduction," said Rum.

Surini was kidnapped by Lin, who ran a spare parts shop, on Sunday at about 6:30 p.m. on her way out of Mangga Dua Square mall.

She was about to get into her car in the shopping center's parking lot when Lin approached and threatened her with a gun. He then took Surini to the rented house.

He also took her ATM card and drew some Rp 10 million (US$1,082) on Monday night from an ATM in Ancol, North Jakarta.

Another night, Lin drew another Rp 10 million from an ATM on Jl. Hayam Wuruk in Central Jakarta. He later called Surini's parents, demanding US$100,000 for their daughter's safe return.

Surini's parents, who immediately reported the case to Penjaringan Police, agreed to give the ransom to Lin at Mangga Dua Square on Thursday.

Police followed Lin and chased him around the shopping center after he received the ransom. He was shot dead while trying to escape.

Following Lin's death, police managed to locate Lin's rented house.

"So far, we have concluded Lin was working alone. His motive was money. But we are still investigating whether there were accomplices or other motives," said Lin.

According to the National Commission for Child Protection, kidnappings are on the increase in the country.

In 2006, it recorded 87 cases in which 75 of the victims were ultimately found alive. In the first half of 2007, it recorded 51 cases. (trw)

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