TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Herman, the man who kidnapped a 5-year old at Tanah Abang, Jakarta, turned out to be a recidivist who was once convicted for committing the same crime. Herman (37) had served five years in prison for kidnapping two children in 2011.
"The suspect is a repeat offender who was sentenced to five years in jail," Tanah Abang police chief Adj. Sr. Comr. Lukman said on Sunday, July 22.
PA, the victim was taken by the kidnapper near his home in Kebon Kacang, Tanah Abang, on July 11. Herman, the kidnapper, is a street food peddler who works in front of the Tanah Bang Train Station.
"He kidnapped the kid and forced him to beg for money," Lukman said.
Lukman added that the victim was found in Pariaman, West Sumatra begging. The kidnapper even forced PA to beg for money on the way from Jakarta.
"Whenever they stopped in a city, along their way from Jakarta to West Sumatra, the victim is told to scrounge—carrying a red bucket," he said.
The suspect is now charged with Law No.35/2014 on child protection, facing a possible sentence of up to 15 years in prison. The victim had been safely returned to his parents.
IMAM HAMDI