Teluk Naga Police in Tangerang said on Tuesday that they had shot the suspected boss of a gang of muggers called Geng Amster.

The suspect, Purna or Gele, 24, was shot in his right leg on Sunday. 

Police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Dedi Herdiana said Geng Amster had been committing crimes over the last two years, using weapons and firearms.

Along with Purna, police also arrested Piteng, 21, and Kontet, 20. 

"We had no choice but to shoot [Purna] because he fought back when we tried to approach him," Dedi said as quoted by tempo.co on Tuesday, noting that the arrest took place in a rented house in Tanjung Pasir, Teluk Naga. 

According to Purna, the name Geng Amster derives from the name of the capital city of the Netherlands.

"We [the gang members] all love soccer, we're fans of the Netherlands' national team," Purna said. 

Dedi said  Purna had been detained previously and was released eight months ago.  

He went on to explain that aside from Purna, the gang had eight members. The police are tracking down the other six members' whereabouts. (vla)