Fake Police Officer Arrested in East Kutai for Motorcycle Theft
A man identified as MY, 36, has been arrested by police on suspicion of committing fraud by posing as a member of the Kutai Kartanegara (Kukar) Police. The suspect made off with a motorbike belonging to the victim, identified as A, 56, a resident of Teluk Muda Village in Kenohan District, Kukar Regency.
Kukar Police Chief Adjunct Senior Commissioner Khairul Basyar, through Kenohan Police Chief Adjunct Commissioner Giri Pratiwo, accompanied by Kukar Police Head of Public Relations Second Inspector Maryono, confirmed the arrest on Monday (3/8). Giri explained that MY carried out his scheme by disguising himself as an active police officer to gain the victim’s trust.
The incident began on Saturday (11/6) at around 9pm local time at the victim’s stall located on the Kota Bangun-Tabang main road in Teluk Muda Village. The suspect MY approached the stall, claiming he was carrying out police duties to raid illegal timber and monitor narcotics cases involving crystal methamphetamine.
“The suspect claimed to be a police officer and asked permission to stay overnight at the victim’s stall to stake out crystal meth activity,” said Giri.
To convince the victim, the suspect even took the victim to see timber he claimed was confiscated evidence in Genting Tanah Village. However, as the victim had to work, the suspect then borrowed, or in his words rented, the victim’s Honda Scoopy motorbike on the pretext of travelling to the location alone.
After keeping the motorbike for several days without any word, the victim grew suspicious. The victim contacted the suspect five times but received no response. When the phone was finally answered, the suspect gave evasive answers before switching off his phone unilaterally.
Feeling aggrieved, the victim reported the incident to the Kenohan Police Station. Following up on the report, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Kenohan Police conducted an inquiry and coordinated with the Macan (Tiger) Team of the East Kutai (Kutim) Police after the suspect was detected fleeing into the Kutim jurisdiction.
“Thanks to the hard work of the team, on Saturday (1/8) at around 5pm local time, police succeeded in arresting the suspect MY along with the evidence, namely one Honda Scoopy belonging to the victim,” explained Giri.
The suspect was apprehended without resistance at the Sawit Wahau Baru guesthouse in East Kutai. MY and the evidence have now been taken to the police station for further legal proceedings.
For his actions, the suspect MY has been charged with embezzlement as regulated under Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, or Article 486 of the Criminal Code.