Man Assaults Petrol Station Attendant in East Jakarta After Refusal of Service for Fake Number Plate
Police have revealed the motive behind the assault on a petrol station attendant in the Cipinang area of East Jakarta. The incident occurred because the victim refused to serve a driver, identified as JMH, whose vehicle did not match the fuel type he was requesting.
The Head of Public Relations at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, Commissioner Budi Hermanto, stated that the perpetrator initially intended to fill up with Pertalite fuel. However, after inspection, the vehicle type and license plate did not match. The perpetrator was found to be using a fake license plate.
“The incident began when a black Toyota Vellfire car attempted to fill up with Pertalite fuel. However, the petrol station attendant refused because the barcode check did not match the vehicle’s registration number, so the filling could not be carried out as per regulations,” said Budi Hermanto to reporters on Tuesday (24 February 2026).
This refusal angered the perpetrator, leading to the assault. Budi mentioned that several people, including petrol station employees, were victims.
“The refusal triggered the emotions of the passengers in the car. The perpetrator then got out and physically assaulted several petrol station workers. Some employees were hit, including the attendant who tried to intervene,” he said.
Budi stated that the attendant who was assaulted immediately filed a police report on Monday (23 February). The following day, police immediately arrested JMH.
“On Tuesday (24 February), at around 4:00 PM, a joint team from the Criminal Investigation Unit of the East Jakarta Metropolitan Police and the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Pulogadung Police Station secured the perpetrator in the Rawalumbu area, East Bekasi. The perpetrator was then taken to the East Jakarta Metropolitan Police for further investigation,” he concluded.
Budi also explained that the perpetrator, who claimed to be an official, was found not to be a member of the police force, but rather a private businessman.
“The perpetrator, identified as JMH, has been secured and confirmed not to be a member of the police force, but a civilian working as a private businessman,” said Budi.
The assault was captured on CCTV and went viral on social media. Based on the video seen by detikcom on Tuesday (24 February), the assault reportedly occurred on Sunday (22 February) evening. Initially, the man, suspected to be the car owner, attempted to fill up with fuel.
The man got out of the car and approached one of the petrol station attendants. The two were then seen talking.
While they were talking, the man, suspected to be the car owner, pointed at the attendant’s face. The man then punched the petrol station attendant in the face.
After the assault, the man briefly returned to the car. He then got out of the car again and was seen holding a bag.
The man approached the petrol station attendant again. He continued to point at and chase the attendant.
Shortly after, the man left the petrol station area, leaving his car behind. When he returned, the man pointed at another man.
(kuf/wnv)