Depok Man Arrested for Forcing Children to Eat Chillies and Locking Them in Freezer

A man in Cimanggis, Depok, West Java, has been arrested after he allegedly forced two children to eat chillies and then locked them in a freezer. The incident occurred on Tuesday (14/7) on Jalan Puri Sriwedari.

According to the Head of Criminal Investigation at the Depok Metro Police, AKBP Made Gede Oka Utama, the two underage victims were initially playing before going to a shop to buy snacks. Finding the first shop closed, they searched for another and encountered the suspect, David.

Kasi Humas of the Depok Metro Police, AKP Hendra, explained that at around 1 p.m. local time, David asked the children what they wanted to buy. After they replied they wanted noodles and had received their food, David challenged them to eat chillies in exchange for money. He threatened that if they could not eat the chillies, he would lock them in the freezer.

Out of fear, one of the victims ate some of the chillies but did not finish them. David then challenged the children to get into the freezer, again promising money. After emptying the freezer, he forced one child inside and closed the door for more than five minutes. The other victim knocked on the freezer door, but the suspect did not open it immediately. When the door was finally opened, the child’s face was described as pale. The suspect then attempted to force both children into the freezer together, but they did not fit.

After the ordeal, David gave the victims a small amount of money and threatened to kidnap them if they told their parents. The police have since arrested the suspect, identified as David alias Abang, and he has been named a suspect. He is being detained at Cimanggis Police Station and will be transferred to the prosecutor’s office. He has been charged under the Child Protection Law for committing violence against minors.