A shocking incident last Thursday, in which a driver who had been stopped by a policeman before grabbing the officer by the hand and dragged him for 10 meters causing serious injuries, took a turn on Monday when police arrested a suspect. Now authorities say he was likely under the influence of narcotics including shabu (crystal meth) and ecstasy during the incident.
“The case is still being investigated but the results of urine test show it positive for shabu-shabu and ecstasy, whether or not he is a regular user or more we are still investigating,” East Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Kombes Pol Tony Surya Putra told reporters on Wednesday as quoted by Sindonews.
The suspect, a 34-year old man with the initials TGS, is currently being detained and undergoing examination at East Jakarta Police headquarter. Tony said he had been cooperative so far.
According to the police, TGS, was driving a Cadillac SUV through the busway lane (which is exclusively for TransJakarta buses and emergency vehicles) in Matraman, East Jakarta.
A traffic police officer named Dimas, who was on duty at the scene, stopped TGS’ car and asked for his license and registration. Instead of complying, TGS grabbed Dimas by the arm and hit the gas pedal, dangerously dragging the officer along.
“During that incident, Officer Dimas was dragged for 10 meters, causing his left arm to break and several gashes and bruises,” said Sapta Maulana Marpaung, head of the Crime Investigation Unit at the East Jakarta Police, as quoted by Kompas Tuesday.
TGS was located and arrested on Monday evening at a hotel in West Jakarta.
The police have yet to reveal the what charges TGS will face. The Cadillac — a motor vehicle brand that is quite rare in Jakarta — has been confiscated by the police as evidence although police say TGS is not the vehicle’s owner.
Civilians driving their vehicles on the busway lane in Jakarta is an everyday occurrence, despite the possible maximum IDR500K (US$37.50) fine if caught. In fact, busway lane violations are so common that Vice Governor Sandiaga Uno suggested (perhaps ironically) that dangdut diva Dewi Persik, whose recent near-busway lane violation turned into a needlessly long legal and media drama, should become an ambassador for busway discipline.
