KAI Thwarts Railway Track Theft Attempt in Sukoharjo
PT Kereta Api Indonesia (Persero) or PT KAI Daerah Operasi 6 Yogyakarta has successfully foiled an attempt to steal railway infrastructure materials in the Gatak area, Sukoharjo Regency, Central Java, on Saturday, 18 April 2026. Two perpetrators were immediately apprehended at the scene.
Manager of Public Relations for KAI Daerah Operasi 6 Yogyakarta, Feni Novida Saragih, confirmed the incident. She explained that the theft attempt was uncovered around 10.45 WIB. At that time, the Security Team received a report from the Head of UPT JJ 6.7 Delanggu, who relayed information from residents about suspicious activities.
Residents observed several individuals loading rail sleepers at KM 117+0/1 on the Purwosari–Gawok line in the Gatak area. In response to the report, the patrolling security team, accompanied by the Head of Gawok Station, immediately headed to the location and coordinated with the police.
“Through this coordination, the joint team successfully secured the railway line from the theft attempt and arrested two perpetrators, who were immediately taken to the Gatak Sector Police for further investigation,” Feni told reporters.
The arrest was carried out around 10.51 WIB by a joint team consisting of Security from KAI Daerah Operasi 6, the JJ 6.7 Delanggu Railway and Bridge Team, and the Gatak Sector Police. From the arrest, officers secured several pieces of evidence, including 4 used rail bars each 2 metres long, 3 used rail bars each 1.7 metres long, 1 used rail bar 1.28 metres long, 2 used rail bars each 1 metre long, one blender tool along with a gas cylinder, one pickup truck, one motorcycle, and four packets of methamphetamine found inside the perpetrators’ vehicle.
For their actions, the perpetrators are charged under Article 477 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on aggravated theft (curat). They face a maximum prison sentence of 7 years or a Category V fine of up to Rp 500 million.
“The aggravating factors include theft committed at night, by more than one person, or accompanied by violence or damage,” said Feni.
KAI Daerah Operasi 6 Yogyakarta emphasised that it will firmly address any theft of railway infrastructure materials as it poses a potential danger to train travel safety. Various security measures have been implemented, including the installation of CCTV at vulnerable points and routine patrols along the rail lines. KAI also highlighted the importance of the community’s role in maintaining security by reporting suspicious activities.
“This success is inseparable from the involvement of the community concerned with the safety of train travel as public transportation,” Feni stated.
KAI Daerah Operasi 6 Yogyakarta urged the public to report any suspicious activities around rail lines immediately, either through nearby station officers, the Contact Center 121 at (021) 121, email [email protected], or KAI’s official social media.