Cable Theft Gang Targeting KRL Signal Lines Active for Two Years

Banten Regional Police have uncovered a theft ring targeting signal cables for the Commuter Line (KRL) in the Maja Station area, Lebak Regency, and Daru Station, Tangerang Regency. The criminal activities, which caused disruptions to the signalling systems at both stations, have been ongoing for two years.

According to Kompol Endang Sugiarto, Sub-director of National Crimes at the Banten Regional Police, the first incident was reported in December 202lar in the Maja area of Lebak Regency. Internal security personnel from PT KAI caught the suspects in the act on 27 December at approximately 00:00 WIB. The suspects fled the scene, leaving behind various tools including screwdrivers, a mobile phone, a motorcycle, pliers, and a piece of unstripped cable.

Following investigations, Banten Police arrested the perpetrators on 22 and 23 May 2026 in the Daru area. Three suspects, identified by the initials GR (23), AR (28), and AN (28), acted as the field executors, while MH (32) acted as the receiver of the stolen goods. Two other suspects, SY and AG, have been transferred to the Bogor Police, West Java, while IS and MU remain at large.

Notably, one of the suspects transferred to the Bogor Police is a former worker for a third-party contractor involved in the cable installation project, though he was not an employee of PT KAI.

The theft incidents occurred at specific locations: the first at Km 62+400 Kampung Maja Pasar, Lebak, between 26-27 December 2024, and the second at various points (Km 49+3/4, Km 50+5/6, and Km 50+8/9) in Kampung Daru, Tangerang, on 8 May 2026.

The disruption was first identified by the Head of the Tigaraksa Signal and Telecommunications Technical Implementation Unit (UPT Sintelis) following reports from Train Dispatchers (PPKA) regarding technical malfunctions. Upon inspection, PT KAI personnel discovered that six ‘counting head’ cables had been stolen. The loss of these cables disrupted the operational and signalling systems on the affected tracks, necessitating urgent technical intervention by PT KAI staff.

Police explained that the signal cables were located inside culverts. The suspects damaged the culverts to access the cables, using hacksaws to cut the lines and utility knives to strip the outer insulation to extract the copper inside.