Alms-box thief at Mushalla in South Jakarta caught by residents as it was quiet

JAKARTA — A thief who targeted alms boxes, identified by the initials AK, was arrested by police after residents spotted him at Mushala As-Syukur, Gang H. Liun, Petukangan Utara, Pesanggrahan, South Jakarta, on Monday, 18 May 2026.

Before carrying out his act, AK is believed to have pretended to perform the Asr prayer while checking that the surroundings were safe. He also positioned himself close to the alms box to facilitate his actions.

The South Jakarta Police Public Relations Head, AKP Joko Adi Wibowo, said the suspect deliberately chose the time for the Asr prayer just before Maghrib because the mushalla was relatively quiet.

The act was observed by residents. AK was immediately secured before being handed over to the police for further action.

He was then taken to the Pesanggrahan Police Sector for questioning. According to his confession, AK had carried out similar acts at several other locations, three of which were in the Pesanggrahan area.

In addition, the suspect had on several occasions operated in the Ciledug area of Tangerang, which borders Pesanggrahan.

‘The method was to open the alms box with a key; at the time of the incident the suspect was found to have many keys in his possession. He said he was trying ones that might fit,’ Joko explained.

Of the three theft locations in Pesanggrahan, the perpetrator netted Rp 1,650,000. The attempt to steal from Mushala As-Syukur, however, failed.

The money from the theft was used by the suspect to cover daily needs.

‘So the motive is need. It’s a shortcut; whatever is possible, even alms boxes are looted,’ Joko said.

At present, AK is being held at the Pesanggrahan Police Station detention facility. He faces Article 477 of the Penal Code for theft, with a maximum penalty of nine years in prison.