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Police nab ride-hailing driver for alleged abduction and extortion of female passenger
Police say the driver tied up the victim, drove her to several ATMs and forced her to withdraw cash.
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Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Cmr. Argo Yuwyono (center) speaks to press at the Jakarta Police headquarters on Saturday, June 29, 2019, about the alleged abduction and extortion involving a ride-hailing driver and his passenger. (Kompas.com/Walda Marison)
T
he Jakarta Police have arrested a ride-hailing driver identified as AS, 31, for allegedly abducting, false imprisonment, attacking and extorting a female passenger.
The 22-year-old passenger, S, ordered a ride-hailing car using the Go-Jek app at around 9 p.m. on Wednesday to drive her home from Plaza Indonesia in Central Jakarta to the Green Bay Pluit apartments in North Jakarta.
AS, a partner driver of the ride-hailing company, accepted the order and picked up S. En route to the destination, AS allegedly pulled over on Jl. Pluit Indah, tied up the victim’s hands with black shoelaces and gagged her mouth with a piece of fabric. He then turned the car around and drove aimlessly.
“The suspect drove around with the victim because he was looking for an ATM in a safe location for the victim to withdraw money,” Jakarta Police spokesman Sr. Cmr. Argo Yuwono said at a press conference on Saturday, as reported by kompas.com.
AS then headed down the Jagorawi toll road, hoping to find a secluded ATM, said Argo. During the trip, apparently frustrated by S’s constant screaming and her efforts to escape, AS allegedly punched her in the face and knocked out a front tooth.
Argo continued that AS then took the victim to Kilometer Marker 21 of the toll road and forced her to withdraw money from her account. S withdrew Rp 2.5 million (US$ 177.38) and handed over the money to AS.
AS then rebound her hands and forced back in the car. He then took S to another ATM the Blok M area in South Jakarta, where he forced S to withdraw more money. S withdrew Rp 1.5 million from her savings account and handed it to AS, who left her there and fled in his car.
The victim then contacted an elder sibling on her mobile phone – which AS had not taken – and asked to be pick up in Blok M.
On receiving S's report, the police found and arrested AS on Friday evening at his brother’s house in Pondok Gede, Bekasi, West Java.
“He was arrested without resistance. He admitted his wrongdoing,” Argo added.
The police also gathered several items as evidence, including AS's car, the shoelace and cloth used to bind and gag the victim, as well as the Rp 4 million he had allegedly extorted from S.
AS claimed that it was the first time he had committed a crime. The suspect’s brother told police that AS was in debt.
AS could be charged with Article 365 of the Criminal Code on violent theft, which carries a maximum nine years of imprisonment.
Separately, Go-Jek vice president corporate communication Michael Reza said that the company had terminated its partnership with AS and supported the police in its investigation of the incident.
"We always prioritize the safety and security of Go-Jek users. We call on the public to use the safety feature on the application or contact the Go-Jek call center whenever they encounter any unpleasant actions," Michael said in a statement.
According to kompas.com, Go-Jek senior manager of corporate affairs Avita Chen said the company would take responsibility in covering all medical expenses for S and would also offer legal assistance for her if needed. (das)
