Modus operandi of West Jakarta rujak seller who molested a primary school pupil

Jakarta – Police in West Jakarta have said that proximity was the modus operandi in a case of sexual abuse committed by a man who works as a tukang rujak (fruit vendor) against a primary school pupil in the Duri Kepa area, Kebon Jeruk. The head of the Jakarta Barat Police’s Unit for the Protection of Women and Children and the Fight Against Human Trafficking (PPA-PPO), Kompol Nunu Suparmi, said by confirmation in Jakarta on Tuesday that the suspect had known the victim since she was five years old. ‘As a nearby neighbour who already knew the victim, since the victim was five. Both of her parents work and sometimes return late, so the child was entrusted to the suspect,’ Nunu said. The closeness made the victim trust him, especially as the suspect frequently gave the victim money and snacks. ‘Thus the victim had become confident in the suspect, and the suspect often gave Rp5,000-Rp10,000 and snacks to the victim,’ he added.

According to the suspect’s confession, the acts of depravity began around 2022 and continued until March 2026. ‘There were about four incidents at different locations,’ Nunu stated. The case came to light after the victim’s friend learned of the incident and reported it to her teacher. ‘The school teacher named D received the report on 12 May 2026. Only then did the victim’s mother, S, become aware and report to the West Jakarta Police,’ he said.

Previously, residents gathered at the home of a 50-year-old rujak seller in Jalan Guji Baru, RT 05/RW 02, Duri Kepa, Kebon Jeruk, West Jakarta, on the evening of Wednesday, 13 May, after the man was suspected of sexually assaulting a primary school pupil. The incident went viral on social media, showing residents angry and attempting to assault the suspect when he was taken into police custody. According to residents, the man is known locally as a rujak seller and is often involved in religious activities in the surrounding community. ‘According to the parents’ statements, the case has been reported for suspected abuse,’ Asarkat said on 14 May 2026. However, he said he did not know the exact time of the reported incident. He added that the school had already conducted initial inquiries before advising the victim’s parents to report to authorities. ‘We do not know exactly when it happened. But from what I know, the school was the first to handle it,’ Asarkat said. He also noted that the victim’s family had reportedly taken the child for medical examination or a medical check (visum), but the results have not been disclosed yet. ‘They say it has already been visumed, but we do not yet know the results,’ Asarkat added.