Police arrest child rapist in North Jakarta
Jakarta (ANTARA) - Tanjung Priok Port Police have arrested a man with the initials VIJAP (26) suspected of raping a boy under the age of consent, a 14-year-old student, in his boarding room in the Muara Angke area of Penjaringan, North Jakarta.
“The perpetrator admitted to committing the criminal act twice against the victim after grooming him. The perpetrator sodomised the victim,” said the Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of Tanjung Priok Port Police, AKP AA Ngurah Made Pandu Prabawa, in Jakarta on Tuesday.
He said the case came to light after a change in the student’s behaviour at school and at home, which was also noticed by the victim’s teachers and parents.
The child was initially sociable and cheerful at school. However, his behaviour suddenly changed, prompting them to ask about his condition.
Through the Police Goes to School programme regularly carried out by Tanjung Priok Port Police, in line with directives from the Tanjung Priok Port Police Chief and the Metro Jaya Regional Police Chief, communication was established and trust was built with the community.
On 21 August 2026, a number of residents and school officials reported to police that they intended to confront the perpetrator’s boarding house, located close to the victim’s home.
“Officers arrived and interrogated the perpetrator. This man, who works as a private-sector employee, admitted his depraved act,” said Pandu.
The perpetrator’s modus operandi was to build communication with prospective victims through social media.
Once close, the perpetrator would invite the prospective victim to meet, and even moved his boarding accommodation to near the victim’s home.
The perpetrator initially boarded in the Cikini area of Central Jakarta, then moved to the Muara Angke area of Penjaringan to be closer to the victim’s home.
After moving his residence, the perpetrator communicated with the victim more intensively and invited him to play at his home.
“The perpetrator got to know the victim from April 2026, and the criminal act was committed in August,” Pandu revealed.
The perpetrator and items of evidence are currently being held at Tanjung Priok Port Police. The perpetrator has been charged under Article 473 paragraph 3 letter a and paragraph 4 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code, carrying a maximum penalty of 15 years’ imprisonment, as well as Law Number 12 of 2022 on Sexual Violence Crimes (TPKS Law), carrying a penalty of 12 years’ imprisonment.