Man Caught Stealing Mobiles Arrested During Community Security Patrol in West Jakarta

The head of the criminal investigation unit at Tambora Police Station, Senior Police Commissioner Sudrajat Djumantara, accompanied by Police Inspector Priyo Purnomo, explained that officers were on patrol by motorcycle in the Tanah Sereal neighbourhood when they spotted a man being held by residents at a community security post in RW 07.

“Officers passed by and saw a man being secured by residents. Upon examination, it was determined that the perpetrator had stolen two mobile phones belonging to residents,” Sudrajat told journalists on Saturday, 23 May 2026.

According to the investigation results, the perpetrator entered the victim’s house by jumping over a fence, then climbed to the second floor and entered through a window whilst the resident was sleeping deeply.

The victim only realised their phones were missing after hearing a commotion and subsequently reviewed CCTV recordings that showed the perpetrator’s actions inside the house.

“The perpetrator entered via the fence, then climbed to the second floor and took two mobile phones that were beside the victim’s bed,” he explained.

When questioned by police, the perpetrator admitted to the theft out of desperation due to economic difficulties. The stolen goods were sold by the perpetrator for 1 million rupiah and used for online slot gambling and purchasing methamphetamine.

Police also revealed that this was not the perpetrator’s first such theft. According to his confession, he had committed several previous thefts that were settled peacefully with victims.

The perpetrator is currently being held at Tambora Police Station. The suspect faces charges under Article 477 of Law No. 1 of 2023 concerning theft with aggravating circumstances.