Police Reveal Motive Behind Rp 1.3 Billion Hand-Drawn Batik Theft at JCC

Police have revealed the motive behind three suspects who stole cloth and hand-drawn batik valued at Rp 1.3 billion from an exhibition at the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) in Senayan. The perpetrators carried out the theft due to economic hardship.

“Economic motive,” said Tanah Abang Police Chief AKBP Dhimas Prasetyo when contacted on Monday (16/2/2026).

Dhimas stated that the suspects had carried out their actions twice. The first theft also took place at JCC, with losses reaching Rp 100 million.

“Twice, including this latest one, and both at JCC,” he said.

“The first involved fabric material as well, with losses of approximately Rp 100 million,” he added.

Dhimas said the three suspects were friends and all originated from the same region.

“Yes, they were friends from the same area,” he said.

The three suspects were successfully apprehended by police. They include a woman named Ledy Dwanty Naema Koen and two men named Krisantus Nomleni and Gelbeth Juliana Yunus. All three have been named suspects and charged under Article 477 of the Criminal Code.

“The case involves aggravated theft,” said Tanah Abang Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKP Ikhsan Rangga when contacted on Monday (16/2).

The victim initially reported the theft on Wednesday (4/2). As a result of the incident, the victim suffered losses amounting to Rp 1.3 billion.

“It began on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, at approximately 13:00 Western Indonesian Time, when the victim came to Tanah Abang Police Station to report a criminal act of theft that was discovered to have occurred on Wednesday, 4 February 2026, at approximately 08:00 Western Indonesian Time. As a result of the incident, the victim suffered losses of Rp 1,376,000,000,” he said.

After receiving the report, officers immediately proceeded to the location and reviewed CCTV camera footage. The three suspects were identified and arrested on Thursday (12/2) at separate locations.