Motive Revealed Behind Motorcyclist Who Ran Over Unpad Student in Narrow Alley

A 21-year-old motorcyclist, identified by the initials MR, has been arrested after running over a student from Padjadjaran University (Unpad), identified as GC. Police have revealed that the motive behind the attack was driven by economic factors.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night (12/5) in a narrow alley in Jatinangor, Summedang, West Java. CCTV footage of the incident went viral on social media, showing the student running through an alley while being pursued by a man on a motorcycle. During the pursuit, the victim tripped and fell, at which point the suspect ran over her with the vehicle.

According to Ipda Hendi Setiawan, Head of Criminal Investigations at the Jatinangor Police, the incident began when the victim was walking through a small alley after purchasing food. The victim encountered a man on a motorcycle brandishing a knife and threatening her. Panicked by the threat, the victim attempted to flee into the alley, where she tripped and fell.

‘Because the victim was screaming, the individual wielding the knife became frightened and fled, running over the victim’s leg with the motorcycle,’ Hendi stated. The victim sustained abrasions and is currently undergoing medical treatment.

Police confirmed that no valuables were stolen during the incident, and the victim denied any sexual harassment took place, debunking rumours circulating on social media. Following an investigation of 12 CCTV recordings and the recovery of a knife left at the scene, the police tracked the suspect to the Tanjungsari district.

Sumedang Police Chief, AKBP Sandityo Mahardika, stated that the suspect, MR, had been scouting potential victims and had attempted theft twice on the same night before the incident. The suspect’s panic during the third attempt led to the violent encounter. MR now faces charges for the unauthorised possession of a sharp weapon and robbery with violence, carrying potential prison sentences of up to 7 and 9 years respectively under the new Indonesian Penal Code.