Police Reveal Resentment as Motive Behind Molotov Cocktail Attack in Koja
The North Jakarta Metropolitan Police have revealed that the motive behind a Molotov cocktail attack and assault in the Koja area was driven by resentment. “Based on the investigation results, the suspects’ motive is believed to stem from a grudge following a previous dispute and brawl,” said North Jakarta Metro Police Deputy Chief of Criminal Investigation AKP Bima Sakti Pria Laksana in Jakarta on Monday.
Bima explained that the perpetrators assembled the Molotov cocktails in a rubbish disposal area. Meanwhile, one of the suspects, identified by the initials MT, was carrying a sickle. The suspects then proceeded to a location on Jalan Mandiri II, Rawa Badak Selatan Urban Village, Koja District, North Jakarta.
As they attempted to provoke the intended target into a fight, one of the thrown Molotov cocktails struck a woman, identified as RD, and her child who were passing by on a motorcycle. “After carrying out the act, the suspects fled after being chased by residents,” he said.
Previously, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the North Jakarta Metro Police had arrested the perpetrators involved in the Molotov cocktail throwing, assault, and misuse of sharp weapons in the Rawa Badak Selatan area, Koja, North Jakarta. “We arrested two suspects with the initials H and MT at the location,” Bima stated in Jakarta on Monday.
He explained that the Mobile Investigation Unit team conducted an inquiry and eventually apprehended H in the Cipinang Bali area, East Jakarta, on Friday (26/6) around midnight Western Indonesian Time. A few hours later, on Saturday (27/6) at 2.30 a.m. Western Indonesian Time, officers arrested MT in Kampung Kandang, Sukapura, Cilincing, North Jakarta, based on further investigation and information from the first suspect.
Meanwhile, another suspect, identified by the initial D, is still being pursued and has been placed on the wanted list. Officers secured several pieces of evidence, including an automatic motorcycle along with its documents, CCTV footage, and fragments of the Molotov cocktail bottle. Additional evidence includes the victim’s medical examination report and a stone used in the assault.
The suspects are charged under Article 466 of the Criminal Code concerning assault, Article 591 in conjunction with Articles 308 and 309 of the Criminal Code concerning vandalism and acts endangering public safety, and Article 307 of the Criminal Code concerning the misuse of sharp weapons. “These perpetrators face a maximum sentence of nine years in prison,” he said.