Police Reveal Economic Motive Behind Violent Robbery That Killed JICT Retiree Ermanto Usman
Jakarta — Police have attributed the brutal robbery that resulted in the death of Ermanto Usman, a 65-year-old retiree from Jakarta International Container Terminal, to purely economic motives.
“At present, we have found no other motive besides theft or murder committed as part of the theft sequence by the suspect,” said Iman Imanuddin, Director of General Criminal Investigation at the Metro Jaya Police, on Thursday, 12 March 2026.
He explained that the suspect assaulted both victims because he was startled when the victims discovered him attempting to burgle the house. When the female victim switched on the lights and encountered the suspect, he spontaneously struck her. He then immediately attacked the male victim, who had just woken up and was sitting on the bed.
The suspect faces charges under Article 458 Paragraph (1) of Law Number 1 of 2023 (New Criminal Code), which regulates ordinary murder. Article 458 Paragraph (3) covers murder accompanied by, preceded by, or followed by other criminal acts. Additionally, Article 479 Paragraph (3) of Law Number 1 of 2023 addresses aggravated theft resulting in death.
“The suspect faces a maximum sentence of 20 years imprisonment. The suspect is currently detained and undergoing the detention process,” Imanuddin stated.
The General Criminal Investigation Directorate of Metro Jaya Police revealed that the robber used a crowbar to kill the victims during the incident at Prima Lingkar Asri housing complex in Jatibening Village, Pondok Gede District, Bekasi City on Monday, 2 March 2026.
According to Imanuddin, evidence recovered included a crowbar used by the suspect to prise open windows and to strike the heads of both victims. Police also found scissors used for the same purpose.
Officers recovered two mobile phones belonging to the victims, with one already sold and the other in the suspect’s possession. Additionally, police found a laptop, money from the sale of gold items, CCTV recording flash drives, and recordings documenting the suspect’s journey to and from the crime scene.