Begal-Hunting Team Arrests Eight Suspects, Active from Bundaran HI to Gandaria

Jakarta – The Begal-Hunting Team of the Metro Jaya Regional Police has disclosed six mugging cases that occurred in Jakarta. Of the six cases, eight suspects have been arrested. ‘Alhamdulillah sudah mengamankan delapan orang tersangka yang melakukan tindak pidana pencurian dengan kekerasan,’ said Senior Commissioner of Police Iman Imanuddin to reporters on Monday evening (18 May).

Iman said the suspects involved in the robberies across several locations and had gone viral on social media, including Bundaran Hotel Indonesia (HI), Patung Kuda, Kebon Jeruk, Cideng and Gandaria.

For the Bundaran HI incident, three suspects were arrested. They were known to carry out phone snatching targeting foreign nationals (WNA).

‘Based on preliminary interviews, three suspects have committed 120 incidents or 120 TKP,’ Iman said.

Iman said the Begal Hunting Team is still pursuing other perpetrators who have not yet been arrested. ‘For those at large, it is indicated that the individuals involved used firearms,’ he added.

In this case, police charged the suspects under Article 466 KUHP, Article 471 KUHP, Article 477 KUHP and Article 479 KUHP.

Earlier, the Metro Jaya Police formed a begal-hunting team to eradicate street crime that unsettles the public.

Iman said the formation of the special team was necessary because street crime not only causes material losses but also endangers lives.

He explained the team would be stationed at several high-risk spots and operate around the clock to ensure the safety of the public.

‘The team, whether at the police precincts, police resort, or the General Criminal Investigation Directorate, will be deployed across the jurisdiction of Metro Jaya Police,’ Iman said at a press conference on Friday (15 May).

Iman also said the team would be equipped with tactical gear, from helmets and vests to firearms.