Police General Reveals Motive Behind Officer's Gold Shop Robbery in South Aceh: Financial Pressure

The motive behind a gold shop robbery allegedly committed by a police officer in South Aceh Regency has been confirmed as economic pressure. Aceh Police Chief Inspector General Ruddi Setiawan stated that the preliminary investigation results point to financial problems as the cause. ‘Based on the interim investigation results, the suspect’s motive for robbing the gold shop was economic or financial. Investigators are continuing to delve deeper into the motive for the robbery,’ he said on Wednesday, 22 July 2026. A joint team from the South Aceh Police and the Violent Crimes Unit of the Aceh Regional Police’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate previously arrested the officer suspected of the robbery at a gold shop in Tapaktuan, the capital of South Aceh Regency. The suspect, identified by the initials MZ, was apprehended less than 24 hours after committing the crime. MZ allegedly robbed the gold shop using a firearm on Saturday morning, 18 July 2026. Inspector General Ruddi revealed that the gold shop robbery case is being handled by the Aceh Regional Police’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate, and the investigation is ongoing. ‘As the Aceh Police Chief, I apologise because a member of the National Police at the South Aceh Police is suspected of robbing a gold shop. The officer is currently undergoing the investigation process and will soon face an ethics trial,’ said Ruddi Setiawan. Aceh Police Head of Public Relations, Senior Commissioner Joko Krisdiyanto, stated that the suspect MZ was detained along with several pieces of evidence, including a firearm allegedly used during the crime. ‘MZ is currently undergoing intensive examination to explore the possibility of other parties being involved in this criminal act. The handling of the case has now been taken over by the Aceh Regional Police,’ Joko said. He stated that the police are handling the case professionally, transparently, and impartially as a demonstration of the Aceh Regional Police’s commitment to maintaining security and ensuring public safety. ‘Based on the examination results, MZ has admitted to his actions. The motive is suspected to be economic pressure. However, the investigation will continue to be conducted thoroughly so that all facts in this case can be clearly revealed,’ said Joko.