BTS Tower Battery Thieves Revealed to be Technical Staff

The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Jembrana Police has uncovered a theft case involving Base Transceiver Station (BTS) batteries from a telecommunications tower in Banjar Dangin Berawah, Perancak Village, Jembrana, Bali. Five individuals, ranging from the executors to the receiver of stolen goods, were successfully apprehended across several locations.

Four of the main perpetrators were identified as technical staff from a partner company involved in BTS tower installation. They are Muhammad Risqy Alwi Sikhaq (20), Suis (35), Deni Suhermanto (37), and Indra Supriyadin (31). A fifth individual, Ahmad Maulana (26), acted as the receiver of the stolen items.

Jembrana Police Chief, AKBP Cheery Sinta Maygrand Simamora, explained that the investigation began following a report from a tower maintenance officer on 15 September. According to Cheery, the reporter discovered indications of a malfunction at the BTS tower.

“Upon inspecting the location in Perancak Village, it was found that the gate hinges were damaged and two Huawei-branded lithium batteries had been removed from the BTS rack. The losses are estimated at Rp 24 million,” Cheery stated during a press conference at the Jembrana Regency Auditorium on Saturday (19/9/2026).

Police immediately conducted an investigation and identified the perpetrators. Cheery revealed that the targets for the theft were selected by the suspects Risqy and Indra. A few months prior to the incident, both had been tasked with installing equipment on the tower, giving them intimate knowledge of the site’s layout.

“The perpetrators divided roles. Some acted as drivers, some monitored the surrounding situation, while others were responsible for lifting the gate and removing the battery installations,” Chexim explained.

The stolen batteries were subsequently sold by the suspect Deni through an intermediary named Rizki Bestari to Ahmad Maulana in Jepara, Central Java. Rizki Bestari is currently a fugitive and is being pursued by the police.

Ahmad Maulana reportedly purchased the batteries for Rp 5 million. From the proceeds of the sale, Rp 3.6 million was transferred by Rizki Bestari to Deni’s account, which was then divided equally among the four main perpetrators, with each receiving Rp 900,000.

The Jembrana Police Criminal Investigation Unit’s operational team carried out a series of arrests across several locations in East Java and Central Java between 14 and 18 September 2026. Muhammad Risqy Alwi Sikhaq was arrested at the Ketapang KAI Station in Banyuwangi.

Subsequently, the suspect Suis was arrested at his residence in Arjasa, Jember, on Tuesday (15/9), while Deni Suhermanto was arrested at his home in Sumbersari, Jember, on the same day.

The following day, Ahmad Maulana (the receiver) was arrested at his residence in Kedung, Jepara. The final suspect, Indra Supriyadin, was apprehended at the Ketapang KAI Station in Banyuwangi on Friday (18/9).

Police also seized several pieces of evidence from the suspects, including a white Daihatsu Xenia (B 2774 POK) used during the crime, mobile phones, pliers, screwdrivers, and several units of Huawei tower batteries, some intact and others dismantled.

“For their actions, the suspects are charged under Article 477 paragraph (1) letter g of Law Number 1 of 2023 regarding the Criminal Code related to Aggravated Theft. The perpetrators face a maximum prison sentence of 7 years or a maximum fine of Category V amounting to Rp 500 million,” Cheery emphasised.