Police arrest motor vehicle thief during deal with receiver

Jakarta (ANTARA) – Police have arrested a motor vehicle thief while he was about to transact with a receiver in the parking lot outside Tangerang City Mall in Banten Province. AKBP Parikhesit, Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit (Kasat Reskrim) of the Metro Tangerang City Police, told reporters in Jakarta on Wednesday that the suspect, RTS (28), was arrested in Kampung Jeletreng, Pengasinan Village, Gunung Sindur, Bogor Regency, West Java.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night (3/3) when the victim parked his motorcycle at the roadside parking area before entering the mall. On returning, the motorcycle was missing. The vehicle was fitted with GPS, so the victim reported to the police and the operations team tracked the signal toward Gunung Sindur, Bogor Regency.

Upon realising the bike was moving toward Bogor, the team conducted tracking and pursuit. ‘The suspect was secured as he was about to transact with an intermediary identified as C.H alias A (43), who was also detained,’ he said.

When the bike was found unlocked at the handlebar, the suspect pushed it away from the parking location. ‘He then made a duplicate key before taking the motorcycle,’ Parikhesit added.

He explained that before the transaction was complete, the suspect had asked the intermediary for Rp150,000 to cover the cost of key duplication via a digital wallet app.

‘This is not the first time. The suspect has sold motorcycles to the same intermediary twice. In other words, there is a pattern and habit in this practice,’ he said.

Both suspects have been detained at the Metro Tangerang City Police for further investigation. Police are also studying the possibility of other networks involved in the case.

The suspects face charges of aggravated theft and receiving stolen goods, or receiving stolen goods as a habit or livelihood, as referred to in Article 477 KUHP in conjunction with Articles 591 KUHP or 592 KUHP.

Metro Tangerang City Police Chief Kombes Pol Raden Muhammad Jauhari reminded the public not to be lax when parking vehicles, especially in open areas. ‘Ensure the vehicle is locked, use an additional lock, and park in a supervised location. Crimes occur because opportunities arise. We will continue to take firm action against motor vehicle thieves,’ he said.