Man impersonating narcotics chief steals motorcycle from taxi rider in East Jakarta

Jakarta — A man claiming to be a Head of Narcotics Unit (Kasat) from Jakarta Metro Police is suspected of defrauding motorcycle taxi drivers by offering them 300,000 rupiah in payment before stealing their vehicles in the Kramat Jati area of East Jakarta.

The alleged perpetrator asked to be taken to Makasar Police Station, claiming to be the Narcotics Unit chief from Jakarta Metro Police who was pursuing drug offenders. He promised to pay the motorcycle taxi driver 300,000 rupiah for the ride.

“The suspect claimed to be the Narcotics Unit chief from Jakarta Metro Police and was pursuing drug offenders. He promised the taxi driver 300,000 rupiah in payment,” explained Fadoli, head of the criminal investigation unit at Kramat Jati Police Station, during a confirmation by ANTARA in Jakarta on Monday.

The incident began when the victim encountered the alleged perpetrator, who claimed to be a narcotics unit chief and said he was pursuing drug offenders. Tempted by the substantial fare, the victim agreed to transport him.

Upon arriving at Makasar Police Station, the suspect requested that the victim continue the journey to Gang Langgar in Kramat Jati, claiming his target was located there. The victim complied.

Once they reached Jalan Langgar in Kramat Jati, the suspect made his move. He asked to borrow the victim’s motorcycle, claiming he needed it to quickly apprehend a drug suspect. Trusting that the man was an officer and tempted by the 300,000 rupiah payment, the victim handed over the vehicle.

“The suspect borrowed the motorcycle by claiming he needed it to catch a drug offender, and the victim immediately gave it to him,” Fadoli stated.

However, after waiting some time, the suspect never returned and instead absconded with the motorcycle.

Fadoli urged the public not to easily trust individuals claiming to be police officers without presenting official identification. He also warned residents against being enticed by unusually large payments.

In a separate but related incident, a man claiming to be a police officer from Jakarta Metro Police is suspected of hypnotising a motorcycle taxi driver and stealing his vehicle after leaving the Makasar fuel station (SPBU 34.135.06) in East Jakarta.

“Yes, it really happened at this fuel station. A suspect came to the station, claiming to be from the Narcotics Unit of Jakarta Metro Police to take the victim’s motorcycle,” said Agus Sunarya (50), a security guard at the SPBU, in East Jakarta on Monday.

The alleged crime occurred on Friday evening (27 February) around 21:30 WIB, when a man arrived at the station riding with the victim on a motorcycle.

“The suspect arrived at the station, claiming to be from the narcotics unit of Jakarta Metro Police. I immediately coordinated with my commander and staff, and then called the local neighbourhood chief,” said Agus.

However, while Agus was still making phone calls to verify the man’s identity, the suspect and victim suddenly left the location.

The victim returned to the station the next day, Saturday (28 February), to ask whether the security guard recognised the perpetrator. At that point, the victim claimed he had been hypnotised and his motorcycle had been stolen.

According to the victim’s account to Agus, the suspect initially hired him as a motorcycle taxi driver from in front of Haji Hostel Terminal.

The suspected hypnosis crime went viral on Instagram through the account @info_pinang_ranti. CCTV footage showed the alleged perpetrator wearing all-black clothing and glasses.

In the account’s statement, the stolen motorcycle is a 2019 Honda Beat with licence plate B 5449 TBS.

After regaining consciousness, the victim walked from Jalan Langgar in Kramat Jati to Makasar Police Station to report the incident.

A day after the incident, officers from Kramat Jati Police Station visited the fuel station to obtain statements and review CCTV footage to clarify the sequence of events.

“On Saturday (28 February), officers from Kramat Jati Police Station came here, asked for statements, inquired about the full chronology, and reviewed the CCTV,” Agus said.

To date, the suspected hypnosis case remains under police investigation. Authorities are also tracing the identity of the perpetrator who impersonated police officials to carry out his crimes.