Man in East Kotawaringin Caught Stealing Palm Oil After Falling Fast Asleep

A man identified by the initials SS (25) attempted to carry out a large-scale palm oil theft but was caught due to his own error. He fell into a deep sleep following his actions within the plantation area of PT Windu Naktindo Lestari (WNL) in East Kotawaringin (Kotim), Central Kalimantan.

According to reports from Monday (8/6/2026), company security officers spotted the perpetrator sleeping soundly next to the palm oil during a routine patrol. The man, originally from Sampit, had stolen approximately 1.6 tonnes of palm oil.

“Instead of successfully escaping with the stolen goods, the perpetrator fell asleep near the pile of palm oil he allegedly harvested illegally, leading to his apprehension by company security. The total amount harvested was 1,620 kg of palm oil,” stated the Head of Public Relations for the East Kotawari Police, AKP Edy Wiyoko, on Sunday (7/6).

The theft took place at Block C07 Pelantaran Agro Estate Division I, PT WNL, in Keruing Village, Cempaga Hulu District, on Saturday (6/6) at approximately 02:20 WIB. Officers subsequently reported the matter to the Cempaga Hulu Police.

“From initial interrogations, the perpetrator admitted that the palm oil fruit was harvested illegally alongside three of his accomplices. However, when officers arrived, the other three suspects managed to flee,” said Edy.

At the scene, officers discovered four piles of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) and one bunch of palm oil still remaining under a tree. The total evidence seized amounted to 61 bunches of palm oil weighing approximately 1,620 kilograms.