Police arrest suspect in elderly couple's bloodied murder in Sumbawa

H, the suspect in the murder of an elderly couple in Seketeng Village, Sumbawa District, Sumbawa Regency, West Nusa Tenggara (NTB), has been arrested.

“Yes, H was arrested in Alas District, Sumbawa Regency,” said Sumbawa Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKP Dwi Kurniawan Kusuma Putra, confirmed by detikBali on Sunday, 23 May 2026.

Dwi stated that H was arrested while attempting to flee on a motorcycle after committing the elderly couple’s murder early Sunday. The suspect’s motorcycle ran out of fuel while passing through Dusun Tengkal hamlet, Dalam Village, Alas District.

“When the motorcycle stalled due to fuel depletion, locals approached. However, H fled into the hilly area of Dusun Tengkal, Dalam Village,” he said.

Dwi explained that after seeing H fleeing and acting suspiciously, locals pursued and apprehended him. The villagers then handed H over to Alas Police Station before transferring him to the Sumbawa Police Criminal Investigation Unit.

“Alas Police Station, aware that H was being sought for the suspected murder, immediately coordinated with the Sumbawa Police Criminal Investigation Unit,” he added.

H is now in custody at Sumbawa Police Headquarters for further legal proceedings, including determining his motive. Initial interrogations revealed H claimed the alleged incident was a misunderstanding.

“H claims it was merely a misunderstanding, but we will continue to investigate his statement. The crime scene showed signs of disorder, with the bedroom cabinet opened and ransacked,” Dwi added.

The couple, Rahman Nur (64) and Siti Hajar (62), were found dead with blood at their residence in Seketeng Village, Sumbawa District, Sumbawa Regency, early Sunday. H, believed to be a grandchild’s friend, is suspected of the murders.

“Yes, the incident occurred early this morning,” said Sumbawa Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKP Dwi Kurniawan Kusuma Putra, confirmed by detikBali on Sunday.