Nurse in Kutai Barat Mugged as Suspect Drains Victim's Mobile Banking Funds

The Rapid Response Unit (URC) of Kutai Barat Police Residency in East Kalimantan swiftly apprehended a suspect who robbed a nurse identified as WPA. The suspect, identified as J, was arrested within 24 hours of the incident on the main road of Kampung Sekolaq Oday.

Police Chief of Kutai Barat, Assistant Commissioner Boney Wahyu Wicaksono, stated that the arrest was carried out by the URC and the Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim) early on Wednesday (27/5). The case has drawn serious attention as the victim is a healthcare worker returning from a pharmacy.

“The incident began on Tuesday (26/5) around 10pm WITA. The victim, while travelling from Melak to Barong Tongkok, was followed by suspect J,” Boney said during a press conference at the Kutai Barat Police Residency on Friday (29/5).

During the attack, the suspect viciously kicked the victim’s motorcycle, causing her to fall into a ditch. As the injured victim attempted to call for help using her mobile phone, the suspect approached and seized the device.

As a result, the victim sustained injuries to her hands and legs, psychological trauma, and material losses amounting to Rp8.8 million.

Police have secured several pieces of evidence, including the victim’s and suspect’s mobile phones, the motorcycle used in the crime, and the suspect’s clothing from the incident. The suspect J is currently detained at the Kutai Barat Police Residency’s detention facility pending further legal proceedings.

“The suspect has been charged under Article 479 (1) and (2)(a) of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, with a maximum prison sentence of 12 years,” the police chief stated.

The swift resolution of the case has been warmly welcomed by the victim. Through her social media account, WPA expressed gratitude to the Kutai Barat Police Residency and Melak Police Station for their prompt response, which led to the suspect’s swift apprehension.