Police Arrest Phone Snatcher Targeting Italian National at Bundaran HI

The perpetrator involved in the snatch theft of an Italian national, identified by the initials CL, near the Bundaran HI area in Menteng, Central Jakarta, has been arrested by the police.

“The suspect has been apprehended by the Sub-Directorate of Crimes and Violence (Subdit Jatanras) of the Metro Jaya Regional Police,” stated Menteng Police Chief, AKBP Braiel Ardnold Rondonuwu, when confirmed via a WhatsApp message on Monday (18/5/2026).

It was previously reported that on Thursday (15/4/2026), the Italian national, CL, was targeted in a snatch theft near Bundaran HI. The victim’s mobile phone was stolen while he was waiting for an online vehicle booking. Although the device has not yet been recovered, the victim has filed an official report with the Menteng Police.

Braiel noted that in two recent snatch theft cases involving foreign nationals, the perpetrators have been targeting victims who appear distracted on the roadside. “The perpetrators use a random modus operandi, targeting victims who appear vulnerable on the street,” he said. He added that investigators have not yet found evidence of a coordinated gang operation behind these specific incidents.

To address the situation, the police are implementing rapid response measures at crime scenes and working to uncover the perpetrators. “We are also conducting patrols during high-risk hours and at vulnerable locations,” he added.

The theft was captured by a motorist’s dashcam and subsequently went viral on social media on Friday (15/5/2026). The video, shared by the Instagram account @jakpus.terkini, shows a foreign man standing by the roadside just outside the pavement in front of the HI Kempinski area, near the Bundaran HI fountain. The footage depicts a man on a red automatic motorcycle approaching the victim amidst the traffic.