Jakarta Man Caught Stealing Rare Pitcher Plants at Bogor Botanical Gardens

A man with the initials JE was caught stealing rare species of pitcher plants at the Bogor Botanical Gardens (KBR). The Jakarta native was subsequently handed over to the police.

Desy Susilawati, Public Relations Officer for the Bogor Botanical Gardens, explained that the theft of these conservation collection plants occurred on Saturday, 6 June 2026. The perpetrator’s actions were captured by CCTV cameras at the location.

“A theft of pitcher plants (Nepenthes), which are part of the conservation collection in the Bogor Botanical Gardens area, has occurred. Pitcher plants are rare and protected plants within the Bogor Botanical Gardens,” Desy stated in a written report on Monday (8/6/2026).

Desy added that the suspect, JE, has been handed over to the police for further legal proceedings. “The suspect, known as JE and originating from Jakarta, has been secured and subsequently handed over to the authorities to be processed in accordance with applicable legal provisions.”

Contacted separately, the Chief of Bogor Tengah Sector Police, Commissioner Waluyo, stated that this was not an isolated incident. Previously, on 16 May 2026, the perpetrator had carried out a similar act.

“Based on the suspect’s statement, he has been committing these thefts since 16 May 2026, with the most recent occurring on 06 June 2026. The plants were stolen from the Greenhouse Conservation area of the Bogor Botanical Gardens by the individual himself,” said Waluyo.

The rare plants stolen by the suspect include one specimen of Nepenthes clipeteata, one specimen of Nepenthes ventricoca hybrid, and one specimen of Treubiana maxima talagensis.

Waluyo noted that the perpetrator admitted to stealing the rare plants for his personal collection at home. Currently, the Sector Police team, alongside the Bogor City Police, is visiting the suspect’s residence to recover the stolen plants.

“(The motive for stealing) was to collect them at his home. Furthermore, investigators from the Bogor Tengah Sector Police will visit the suspect’s house to secure the plants previously stolen,” Waluyo added.