Metro Jaya Police Arrest 16 Begal Suspects in Three Days

Some of the begal operating in Jakarta and its surrounding areas are now cursing their fate. In the last three days, the Metro Jaya Regional Police arrested 16 begal perpetrators.

Iman Imanuddin, Director of General Criminal Investigation at the Metro Jaya Police, said the arrests were carried out by the Begal Hunters Team. The team was formed to respond to the surge in street crime that went viral on social media and alarmed the public.

‘For three consecutive days, we have continued to work together with the community, particularly residents who safeguard their neighbourhoods through neighbourhood watch posts,’ Iman said on Wednesday (21 May 2026).

In the operation, police arrested eight suspects on the first day, two on the second day, and six on the third day.

One case disclosed involved the robbery of a mobile phone from a child who was recording a video of a bus in the Ciputat area of South Tangerang.

In the latest arrest, police also seized evidence in the form of firearms used by the suspects to threaten the victims.

According to Iman, some suspects came from different groups, while others were the result of developments from suspects who had been arrested earlier.

From the investigations, police found economic motives and narcotics dependence as drivers of the criminal acts.

‘Some were used to meet economic needs, others to buy drugs. After urine tests, several suspects tested positive for amphetamine,’ he said.

The Metro Jaya Police also regard the presence of CCTV integrated with the Jakarta Provincial Government as helping speed identification of suspects.

Additionally, rapid reports from residents on social media and the activity of community security posts are said to be important factors in solving cases.

The suspects face charges of robbery with violence and illegal firearm ownership, carrying a maximum penalty of up to 15 years’ imprisonment.