Police Hunt for Stolen Motorcycle Fencing Network in Tangerang
The Tangerang Metro Police are hunting a network of buyers for stolen motorcycles following the arrest of a perpetrator attempting to sell the stolen vehicles in the Lebak region, Banten.
“The suspect is currently detained at the Tangerang Metro Police headquarters for further investigation. Police are also pursuing the fencing network and investigating the possibility of the perpetrator’s involvement in several other motorcycle theft cases in the Tangerang area and its surroundings,” said Tangerang Metro Police Chief Commissioner Raden Muhammad Jauhari in Tangerang on Tuesday.
Jauhari stated that the case began with the arrest of a repeat offender in vehicle theft cases by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Tangerang Metro Police. The individual had previously served four prison sentences for similar offences.
He stressed that the police will continue to take firm action against street criminals, particularly motorcycle thieves who disturb the community. The Police Chief also urged residents to increase their vigilance by using additional security locks when parking their vehicles and to immediately report any suspicious activity via the Polri 110 hotline.
The Head of Criminal Investigation for the Tangerang Metro Police, AKBP Parikhesit, explained that the suspect, identified as WS (42), a resident of Johar Baru, Central Jakarta, was arrested on Friday (12/6) at around 5:00 PM Western Indonesian Time while attempting to sell two stolen motorcycles.
The arrest was made after the Jatanras team conducted an investigation based on two police reports concerning motorcycle thefts in the Karang Tengah and Larangan areas of Tangerang City.
“From the investigation, officers managed to identify the perpetrator. During the arrest, the suspect was found in possession of two stolen motorcycles ready for sale, along with several tools used to carry out the thefts,” Parikhesit said.
Police seized two stolen motorcycles from the suspect: a red Honda Vario and a green Honda Beat. Examination revealed that the perpetrator is a recidivist in motorcycle theft cases, having served four prior prison sentences in 2017, 2019, 2023, and 2024.
“The perpetrator was just released from prison in March 2026. However, he resumed committing motor vehicle theft,” he stated.
In carrying out his crimes, the suspect targeted motorcycles parked in residential areas or rented houses. His modus operandi involved damaging the ignition using a T-key and a magnetic key before making off with the victim’s vehicle.
“Further investigation by detectives also revealed that the stolen motorcycles were sold in the Lebak and Maja areas of Banten for prices ranging from Rp2.5 million to Rp3 million per unit,” Parikhesit said.