Linggau Tiger Team Arrests Suspect in 11-House Arson Within Six Hours

The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Lubuk Linggau Police, part of the South Sumatra Regional Police, has detained a suspected arsonist who torched 11 houses on Jalan Maluku RT 04, Jawa Kanan SS Sub-district, Lubuk Linggau Timur II District, Lubuk Linggau City, on Friday (17/7). The arrest was made less than six hours after the incident occurred. The suspect, identified by the initials M.S.E. (32), was captured by the Linggau Tiger Team after investigators processed the crime scene, collected evidence, and examined several witnesses who pointed to the perpetrator’s identity. The Head of Public Relations for the South Sumatra Regional Police, Senior Commissioner Nandang Mu’min Wijaya, stated that the swift resolution of the case reflects the police force’s rapid response in providing legal certainty to the public. “The speed of this disclosure demonstrates the commitment of the Indonesian National Police to respond to every public report professionally, measurably, and according to procedure. We will complete the investigation process transparently and encourage the public to continue playing an active role in providing information to maintain a conducive security and public order situation,” Nandang said in a written statement on Saturday (18/7/2026). The fire reportedly broke out around 5:50 PM Western Indonesia Time when the house belonging to a victim identified as R. (57) was empty. The flames quickly spread to surrounding buildings, destroying 11 houses with estimated losses reaching around Rp2 billion. After obtaining information on the suspect’s whereabouts, the Linggau Tiger Team and the Eagle Team from the Lubuk Linggau Timur Police Sector, led by the Head of Criminal Investigation of the Lubuk Linggau Police, AKP Muhammad Kurniawan Azwar, along with the Head of the General Crimes Unit, Ipda Suwarno, moved to his residence in Marga Rahayu Sub-district. The suspect was apprehended without resistance and subsequently taken to the Lubuk Linggau Police headquarters for questioning. Based on initial examination results, the suspect admitted to using petrol placed in a plastic bottle. The fuel was then poured onto the wooden floor in the kitchen area of the house before being set alight with a lighter. Police also seized evidence including a motorcycle, a lighter, and clothing believed to have been worn by the suspect during the incident. Additionally, a urine test indicated the suspect was positive for methamphetamine. Investigators also discovered that the individual had previously been reported in an alleged domestic violence case that is still under investigation. The South Sumatra Regional Police confirmed that the legal process against the suspect will proceed in accordance with applicable regulations. The public is also urged to immediately report any criminal acts or potential security disturbances through the Polri 110 Call Centre so that they can be promptly addressed by law enforcement officials.