Police Hunt Perpetrators of Arson Attack on Retired Civil Servant and Former Village Head in Demak

Police are continuing their pursuit of the perpetrators behind the arson attack on the homes of a retired civil servant and the former Village Head of Tlogorejo, Karangawen District, Demak Regency. The daring act is strongly suspected to have been motivated by personal vendetta following the perpetrator’s release from prison.

Based on monitoring on Sunday (7/6), the case involving the burning of the house belonging to Sudarko, 50, a retired civil servant and former Village Head of Tlogorejo, which occurred on Tuesday (2/6) night, remains a matter of public concern. To date, police officers have not yet managed to apprehend the perpetrators, who fled immediately after carrying out the attack.

The simultaneous burning of two houses has triggered anxiety among local residents. The perpetrator is known to be a former inmate who was previously sentenced to one year and eight months in prison for an assault case. Their continued freedom has left residents feeling threatened.

“We are afraid of the consequences, especially since the perpetrator has not been caught and is still roaming free, with their hiding place unknown,” said Sutrisno, a local resident.

Similar concerns were expressed by other residents. Although the flames were extinguished before any casualties occurred, residents remain vigilant regarding the possibility of the perpetrator repeating the act, given the threats previously made by the individual.

The Karangawen Police Chief, Assistant Commissioner Mujiyono, emphasised that his team is conducting an intensive manhunt for the perpetrators. He revealed that the identity of the perpetrator has actually been identified by officers.

“Although the identity of the perpetrator is known, they have not been arrested because they immediately left their home after the incident. We are currently conducting searches in several locations suspected to be their hiding places,” said Mujiyono.

Explaining the chronology of the event, Mujiyono stated that on the night of the incident, the perpetrator first approached Sudarko’s house. The perpetrator poured petrol and ignited the fire, before moving towards the former village head’s house to perform a similar action. The entire sequence of events was captured by CCTV cameras in the surrounding area.

Police have urged the public to remain calm and vigilant, and to immediately report to officers if they observe any suspicious individuals in their neighbourhood.