Police Arrest Fugitive Suspected of Inter-District Theft in Labuan Bajo
Police Resmob Komodo of the Manggarai Barat Resort Police’s Criminal Investigation Unit arrested MH, 35, the suspect in the theft of millions of rupiah from a student in Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). The suspect, a resident of Kampung Taga, Golo Dukal, Langke Rembong, Manggarai, was taken into custody without resistance at the Kampung Ujung Fish Auction Place (TPI) in Kampung Ujung, Labuan Bajo, Manggarai Barat, on Friday afternoon, 22 May 2026.
MH is believed to have fled to Labuan Bajo after stealing the rice-sale proceeds belonging to the victim a week earlier in Ruteng, Manggarai.
“The alleged perpetrator is a fugitive who has been on the target list for investigation following thefts in the jurisdiction of the Manggarai Police,” said AKP Lufthi Darmawan Aditya, Head of Criminal Investigation at Manggarai Barat Police, on Saturday, 23 May 2026.
The theft victim was Aprianus A. Buluk, 17, a student from Manggarai Timur Regency. The rice-sale proceeds, still stored in the car, were stolen by an individual identified as YN when the car was parked on Jalan Yos Sudarso, Kelurahan Mbaumuku, Langke Rembong, on Thursday afternoon, 14 May 2026.
A few hours before the incident, Aprianus and two accomplices had just sold nine sacks of rice, weighing a total of 450 kilograms, in Mano, Manggarai Timur. The sale proceeds, amounting to Rp 5.85 million, were then stored on the car’s dashboard.
As the vehicle was parked in front of a shop in Kelurahan Mbaumuku for a private matter, the perpetrator exploited the victim’s distraction. Within minutes, the money on the dashboard had vanished, snatched by MH. The victim promptly reported the incident to SPKT Manggarai Police.
“When the victim got out of the car for personal needs, the rice-sale proceeds were left on the dashboard, unattended. On his return, the money was gone. Based on initial on-site analysis, the victim was likely targeted by the alleged perpetrator,” AKP Lufthi explained.
Manggarai Police then coordinated with Manggarai Barat Police. MH was eventually arrested in Labuan Bajo. Lufthi said MH admitted to all offences. However, the stolen money had already been spent to cover his living costs during the flight.
“The suspected offender has now been officially handed over to the Satreskrim personnel of Manggarai Police who came to collect him for further investigation at the original place of incident,” concluded AKP Lufthi.