Mass Organisation Members in Solo Arrested for Vigilante Alcohol Raid and Assault on Youths
The Solo Police in Central Java have arrested several members of a mass organisation suspected of intimidating and assaulting residents who were socialising under the pretext of conducting a raid or sweep for alcoholic beverages.
At least four members of the organisation involved in the intimidation and violence were detained by the Sparta Team of the Solo Police Samapta Unit in the Karangasem Laweyan area of Solo at the end of last week.
The four suspects detained have the initials DP (42), PA (19), and F (51), all residents of Sukoharjo, as well as AR (39), a resident of Laweyan, Solo.
Samapta Unit Head of the Surakarta Police, Commissioner Edi Sukamto, said the arrests were made while the Sparta Team was conducting a patrol in the area in the early hours of Sunday (9/8) at around 00.45 WIB.
“We detained the four of them on Jalan Slamet Riyadi, Pajang, Laweyan District. We had earlier received information about a group suspected of intimidating residents who were socialising,” Edi said in a written statement on Sunday, as quoted by detikJateng.
From the initial examination, one of the four people detained admitted that his group was carrying out ‘sweeping’ activities in the Solo area.
“For the time being, we have handed them over to the Criminal Investigation Unit duty officer for further examination and handling in accordance with procedure,” Edi explained.
Edi said the incident began when a resident reported around 15 people riding eight automatic motorcycles on Jalan Sawo, Karangasem. The eight vehicles had their number plates covered with black tape.
The group then approached a house that was being used as a place for a number of young people to socialise. An eyewitness saw the mass organisation group shouting at the young men.
“From a distance, the complainant saw the group shouting at the young men. The Sparta Team immediately headed to the location. However, by the time officers arrived, the group had already left the scene,” Edi explained.
Based on witness statements at the scene, the victims said they were approached and immediately assaulted. He said some residents were punched, kicked, and struck with a certain object.
“One of the young men said that they were approached by a group of people suspected of being members of a mass organisation. In the incident, there were residents who were allegedly hit with an object, kicked, and even struck with a tool,” Edi said.
“One of the victims reported losing a mobile phone that was allegedly taken by the group,” he added.
Police then conducted a sweep and spotted the group in front of a laptop kiosk. Upon noticing the officers’ arrival, they immediately fled in panic, leading to a chase.
“During the pursuit, officers managed to detain four people and two motorcycles. The number plates were indeed covered with black tape,” Edi revealed.
At the arrest location, police also found evidence in the form of a modified piece of cable and a piece of water hose that the suspects allegedly discarded before being searched.
“The preliminary assumption is that the objects were discarded before officers conducted a body search,” he said.
From statements at the scene, around five young people were socialising and playing games at the time of the incident. They were suddenly approached by a number of people. Several individuals allegedly punched, kicked, and struck the victims using certain objects.
“After not finding any alcoholic beverages at the location, the group then left the place and moved southwards,” he explained.
The Solo Police also seized a number of items as evidence, including two motorcycles, one piece of cable wrapped in tape, one piece of water hose, and four mobile phones.
“The four individuals along with the evidence were then taken to the Surakarta Police Headquarters and handed over to the Criminal Investigation Unit duty officer for further investigation,” he said.