Police arrest diver's oxygen tank thief in West Jakarta's Tamansari

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Police have arrested a man for stealing a diver’s oxygen tank worth Rp16 million in the Tamansari area, West Jakarta.

The head of the Tamansari Metro Police, Commissioner Bobby M Zulfikar, said the suspect, identified as MAH, was arrested in the Pinangsia area, West Jakarta, less than 24 hours after the theft, based on CCTV footage from the scene.

When apprehended, the stolen goods had not yet been sold and were still being kept by the suspect’s friend, he said.

“The arrest was made on Pinangsia Street. The goods had been entrusted to his friend,” Bobby said when contacted in Jakarta on Saturday.

Preliminary investigations suggest that the theft was motivated by economic factors.

“The oxygen tank was stolen for economic reasons, to be resold. The tank is quite expensive, worth Rp16 million,” said Bobby.

“He is not an employee there, but he often hangs around the area, often comes and goes, so he knows the situation and knows that the oxygen tank is expensive,” Bobby added.

The theft occurred while the shop was still open.

The suspect is known to have acted alone and only stole one oxygen tank.

“The suspect acted alone, but then entrusted the tank to his friend, who had not yet sold it,” Bobby said.

The suspect will be charged under Article 362 of the Criminal Code on theft, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.