Police: Underground Cable Theft Threatens Public Services

The Pademangan Police Station has stated that the theft of underground electrical cables in the Lodan area, Ancol, North Jakarta, not only causes financial loss to the state but also threatens to disrupt public services and community activities.

AKP Doly Septian, Head of Criminal Investigation at Pademangan Police, stated that underground cable theft can trigger power outages, disrupt communication networks, hinder economic activities, and endanger the public due to excavation holes and the risk of electrical short circuits. “The perpetrators’ actions in destroying public facilities and stealing underground cables are highly detrimental to the wider community,” said AKP Doly Septian in Jakarta on Sunday.

According to the officer, these thefts can lead to the paralysis of public facilities and weaken economic sectors that rely on electricity. He added that such actions could even threaten the livelihoods of the community. Furthermore, AKP Doly explained that the criminal acts could trigger flooding as discarded cable insulation waste may clog drainage systems. He also noted that the theft could disrupt business sectors and offices that depend on electricity and internet connectivity.

“The presence of excavation holes endangers the public and can trigger fires due to short circuits,” he said. He urged the public to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police station via the 110 call centre. For affected electrical cables, residents can also contact the PLN 123 contact centre or use the PLN Mobile application.

Previously, the Pademangan Police arrested two men, identified by the initials AR (45) and TN (44), suspected of stealing underground cables on Jalan Lodan Raya, near the Mediterrania Marina Residences Apartments in Ancol, North Jakarta. “We arrested both suspects on Wednesday (29/7) at 01:42 WIB following an investigation prompted by community reports,” said AKP Doly Septian. He revealed that the perpetrators operated in a group, using crowbars to destroy the concrete pipe ducts (Duct Bank) protecting the underground cables. The suspects would then excavate the cables, pull them to the surface, and cut them using saws.