Police Identify Burglar Who Murdered Pensioner Ermanto Usman After Targeting His Home for Its Size

Police have revealed the motive behind a burglar’s attack on the home of JICT (Jakarta International Container Terminal) pensioner Ermanto Usman (65), which resulted in the victim’s death. The suspect, identified by initials S (28), targeted the residence because of its size.

“The suspect had no specific target. At the time, the suspect observed that this was the largest house in the area, leading him to believe he could obtain a substantial amount of items or valuables,” said Director of Criminal Investigation at Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters Kombes Iman Imanuddin to journalists on Wednesday, 11 March 2026.

The suspect acted alone in the early hours of Monday, 2 March. Armed with scissors and a crowbar, he forced open a window and entered Ermanto Usman’s home.

Upon police questioning, the suspect confessed to killing Ermanto after being discovered during the theft. The suspect struck both Ermanto and his wife with the crowbar he had brought.

“When the female victim switched on the lights, she encountered the suspect, who spontaneously struck her with the crowbar that he had previously used to prise open the window,” explained Iman.

“As the suspect was striking the female victim, the bedroom door was open, and the suspect saw the male victim sitting on the bed,” he added.

The suspect then panicked and immediately attacked Ermanto.

“In a state of panic, the suspect suddenly assaulted the male victim, who had just awakened and was sitting on the bed,” he continued.

When discovered, Ermanto was already dead, covered in blood. Meanwhile, his wife sustained severe injuries and remains in critical condition at hospital.

Police from the Jakarta Metro Police Headquarters’ Special Crimes Unit apprehended the suspect at 18:54 on Monday, 9 March in Cilincing, North Jakarta. The suspect has been designated as a formal suspect and is currently in custody.