Corpun file 20166

brudirect.com (Brunei Direct), 9 April 2008

9 Foreigners Jailed For Gang Robbery

By Za'im Zaini

Bandar Seri Begawan - The Royal Brunei Police Force announced that the nine robbers involved in a series of gang robberies in Kg Batang Mitus and Kg Kilanas on January 20 and 21 were convicted in court yesterday and are now behind bars.

This was announced yesterday in a press conference by SAC Peng Eng Lee, Director of Criminal Investigation Department, at the CID building.

All the robbers, who are foreign nationals, were brought to the Bandar Seri Begawan High Court on April 7 and began their jail sentence on January 23, 2008.

Among the robbers who were convicted was Nardi Purdan @ Maspur, 30, who was involved in the gang robbery in Kg Batang Mitus and Kg Bebatik Kilanas as well as the gang robbery in Jln Telanai and Kg Tungku Gadong. He was also found guilty under chapter 6 (1), Immigration Act, section 17 for being an illegal immigrant.

He was sentenced to nine years' imprisonment and 12 strokes of the cane, while Harun Widodo, 30, and Muslikin Suraw, 25, were sentenced to eight years in jail and 12 strokes of the cane for the same offences as Nardi Purdan.

Nastain Imam Wardi, Supriadi, Muhammad Rangga, Ronaldi Ridwan Has and Suryono all were sentenced to seven years in prison and 12 strokes of the cane, while Wartono was sentenced to three years and three strokes of the cane.

Meanwhile a local, Abdul Rahim Hj Ahmad who was also caught during the hunt for the gang robbers is still being investigated for gang robbery and will be brought to trial on August 8, 2008.

The CID Director also revealed that the items that were stolen during the heist in Kg Batang Mitus and Kg Bebatik Kilanas will be returned to the owners or victims as they have been identified.

Three of the robbers who were caught were working in Brunei - one of them was a driver and the other two were working as farmers.

The CID Director also told the press that the police will enhance patrols in residential areas near the border as well as near the border control posts. The police will increase roadblocks in an attempt to curb crime.

He also stressed the important role played by home owners in taking care of their property themselves against crimes such as robbery.

He thanked members of the public who have given their cooperation and assistance to the police. -- Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin

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