Copper Cable Thieves Who Caused Power Outage in East Kutai Arrested
A joint team from the East Kutai Police Criminal Investigation Unit and the North Sangatta Police has arrested two men responsible for stealing copper cables belonging to PT. Perusahaan Listrik Negara (PLN), an act that caused a power outage on Jalan Dermaga Kenyamukan, North Sangatta, East Kalimantan. The case was solved in less than 24 hours after the police received the report.
The two suspects, identified by their initials J (25) and N (25), are believed to have repeatedly stolen copper cables from PLN substations and networks in the Sangatta area.
East Kutai Police Chief AKBP Fauzi Arianto, through Criminal Investigation Head AKP Rangga Asprilla Fauza, stated on Monday that the investigation began with a public report of a power outage on Jalan Dermaga Kenyamukan on Sunday. Residents had observed several individuals engaging in suspicious activity at an electrical substation.
“Based on this information from residents, the police immediately processed the crime scene, reviewed CCTV footage, and gathered witness statements. Following the investigation, the team conducted a patrol in the area this afternoon,” he explained.
During the patrol at around 1:10 a.m. Central Indonesia Time, officers spotted a man on a PLN electricity pole on Jalan Dermaga Kenyamukan, who was later identified as suspect J. The suspect attempted to flee when officers moved to arrest him but was successfully apprehended.
“From the initial interrogation, the perpetrator admitted to his actions and named his accomplice, N. The team then conducted a follow-up investigation and arrested the second suspect at his residence at around 4:18 a.m.,” AKP Rangga detailed.
Investigations revealed that the two suspects had allegedly stolen copper cables from substations and electricity networks multiple times at various locations, including Jalan Soekarno-Hatta, Jalan Dermaga, and the Expo area. The stolen cables were then sold to scrap metal collectors for millions of rupiah.
Police seized a brown metallic Daihatsu Sigra used by the suspects, 47 kilograms of copper cable, rubber gloves, a hacksaw, metal cutters, pliers, pipe fragments, and the clothes worn during the thefts.
AKP Rangga stated that the motive for the thefts is believed to be economic. The suspects have been charged under the new Criminal Code. He stressed that the crime not only caused material losses to PLN but also directly impacted the community by disrupting the electricity supply. He urged the public to immediately report any suspicious activity near electrical installations.
Both suspects and all evidence are currently being held at the North Sangatta Police Station for further investigation. Police are also probing the possibility of other crime scenes and the involvement of additional parties in the cable theft network.