Man at Tanah Abang Market Beaten by Visitors—Detained After Being Accused of Pickpocketing

A video circulating on social media shows a man being beaten in the Tanah Abang Market area in Central Jakarta (Jakpus) after allegedly being caught pickpocketing.

In the video, viewed on Monday (16 March 2026), the man was then escorted by market visitors. He was taken to the market security office.

When asked for confirmation, Iptu Erlin Sumantri, the Police Relations Chief (Kasi Humas) of the Central Jakarta Metro Police (Polres Metro Jakarta Pusat), stated that the incident occurred on Saturday (14 March). Based on the alleged perpetrator’s account, he had intended to purchase underwear.

“From our interview with Antoni, he came to Tanah Abang Market with Rp 65,000, intending to buy underwear,” he said.

At the time, the alleged perpetrator was in a crowd. Because he was suspected of attempting to pickpocket, he was shouted at as a pickpocket and subjected to mob justice by visitors.

“Because he was in a crowd, he became the subject of suspicion and was shouted at as a pickpocket until he was beaten by the public,” he explained.

The public then took him to the security post. Afterwards, visitors called the police and the alleged perpetrator was brought to the Tanah Abang Metro Police Station (Mako Polsek Metro Tanah Abang).