Police Arrest Four Youth with Sharp Weapons to Prevent Gang Violence in East Jakarta

Jakarta — The Precision Pioneer Patrol unit of the Samapta Directorate of the Jakarta Metro Police arrested four youths along with 12 sharp weapons allegedly intended for gang violence (tawuran) in Kampung Mekarsari, East Jakarta.

The Director of Samapta at the Jakarta Metro Police, Senior Commissioner Wahyu Dwi Ariwibowo, stated that the four youths were apprehended during a predawn patrol on Tuesday at approximately 02.04 Western Indonesian Time.

“During the patrol led by Ipda Abdul Kadzim and Ipda MP Ambarita, officers discovered a suspicious gathering of youths,” said Wahyu in his statement in Jakarta on Tuesday.

Upon inspection, the youths were suspected of preparing for gang violence and were searching for a rival group known as the “Gangster Cibubur”.

“After conducting further investigation and discovering a number of sharp weapons that had been prepared by these youths at their gathering location in the Kampung Mekarsari area, four youths with initials ARA, MRV, AM, and RA were subsequently apprehended to prevent gang violence from occurring,” said Wahyu.

From the youths, police seized evidence consisting of two motorcycles and 12 sharp weapons comprising 10 machetes (celurit), one curved blade (corbek), and one samurai sword.

Subsequently, the youths and evidence were taken to Cimanggis Police Station for further investigation.

“We are intensifying our Precision Pioneer Patrol at high-risk locations to prevent gang violence and other criminal activity so that the public can feel safer,” said Wahyu.

Meanwhile, the Head of Public Relations at the Jakarta Metro Police, Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto, urged the public, particularly parents, to pay closer attention to the activities of their children to prevent involvement in gang violence.

“We invite the community to jointly maintain environmental security and monitor their children’s social circles to prevent involvement in gang violence that can harm themselves and others,” said Budi.