Bekasi Residents Struggle with Mobile Signal After BTS Cables Stolen

The Bekasi City Metro Police Chief, Commissioner Kusumo Wahyu Bintoro, stated that the perpetrator infiltrated the area of a BTS tower owned by a telecommunications company in the Pekayon Jaya district. After entering the site, the perpetrator dug up and cut several cables within the tower area.

“The perpetrator managed to cut three cables, each approximately 135 metres long. While attempting to cut a fourth cable, the individual’s actions were noticed by residents, as the activity during the early hours of the morning was deemed suspicious,” said Commissioner Kusumo on Thursday (4/6/2026).

Initially suspicious, local residents reported the incident to the police. Shortly thereafter, the perpetrator was apprehended at the scene along with the stolen goods. The theft was uncovered on Friday (20/3) at approximately 01:30 WIB. During interrogation, the suspect admitted to having committed similar thefts previously in the Bekasi Regency area.

As a result of the theft, services for one telecommunications operator experienced disruptions. The police received reports of public complaints regarding the loss of signal in several areas of South Bekasi following the cutting of the BTS cables.

Kusumo emphasised that the perpetrator’s actions caused not only material losses for the company but also impacted the communication services used by the public. For his actions, the suspect faces charges of aggravated theft as regulated under Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP), with a maximum prison sentence of seven years.

The Bekasi City Metro Police have urged the public to immediately report any suspicious activities around public facilities or vital infrastructure to prevent similar criminal acts.