Motorcycle snatchers alarm residents as East Java Police arrest two repeat offenders in Pasuruan

Surabaya (ANTARA) - East Java Police apprehended two repeat motorcycle snatchers in Pandaan, Pasuruan Regency on Tuesday morning after they attempted to resist arrest.

“Two begal suspects were arrested in Pasuruan this morning,” said AKBP Arbaridi Jumhur, Head of Subdirectorate III Jatanras at East Java Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate, at the regional police headquarters on Tuesday.

He explained that the suspects’ modus operandi involved snatching motorcycles, with most victims being women.

“These two suspects are repeat offenders, having committed the same crime three times previously,” he stated.

The suspects, identified as S, a resident of Kraton District, Pasuruan Regency, and MS, from Wonorejo District, Pasuruan Regency, were arrested in connection with a 29 May 2025 incident in Pandaan.

Following their apprehension, the suspects were taken to East Java Police headquarters for further questioning.

He added that the perpetrators typically snatch vehicles on the road, with the majority of victims being women riding motorcycles alone.

According to him, victims sometimes resisted during the robberies.

Police also revealed that the suspects are suspected of involvement in crimes targeting cars, not just motorcycles.

“It’s not just motorcycles; cars are also targeted. We’re still investigating, and there are several crime scenes in Malang and Pasuruan with similar characteristics to the detained suspects,” he said.

The East Java Police Criminal Investigation Directorate is currently expanding the investigation to uncover possible accomplices and other crime scenes with similar patterns in Pasuruan and Malang.