Reasons Ambulance Crew Reported the 'Tough Guy' Who Blocked and Damaged Vehicle in Depok
A motorcyclist dubbed a ‘tough guy’ who blocked and damaged an ambulance in Depok last weekend failed to live up to his bravado after being arrested by the police. Authorities apprehended a man who obstructed and vandalised an ambulance in Sukmajaya, Depok, West Java, on Sunday (10/5).
The perpetrator, with initials ML, was arrested on Sunday around 10:50 PM WIB on Jalan Jati Raya, Sukamaju, Cilodong, Depok. He was caught less than 24 hours after the vandalism incident occurred and went viral on social media.
“The perpetrator was arrested less than 24 hours after the case occurred,” said Deputy Head of Public Relations for Metro Depok Police, AKP Made Budi, to reporters on Monday (11/5).
Made stated that the arrest was based on a report from the ambulance crew on Sunday night. In the report, the complainant explained that the incident began when the ambulance was en route to pick up a traffic accident victim.
Quoting from detik.com, the ambulance driver who was blocked and whose vehicle was damaged, Musyaffa, explained that they reported the incident and refused to settle because they wanted to deter anarchic acts, especially against emergency vehicles.
Musyaffa said they had filed a police report (LP) regarding the perpetrator’s actions.
“So, like this, if we see it, this incident isn’t just about blocking the ambulance, it’s already destruction or anarchism. So we remain committed to this, that’s why after we considered it, we decided to file a report or LP,” said Musyaffa on Monday (11/5).
He said that the perpetrator’s family had attempted to mediate with the ambulance crew from the Al Baari Foundation. However, Musyaffa added, the ambulance side still chose to pursue the case.
“Then, after that, even though up to now the family has started confirming to carry out family mediation, but from the Al Baari Foundation, we all remain committed to continuing this case,” he said.
“That’s it [continuing the legal process for deterrent effect]. You see, from what has happened before, when an LP is filed and then they make clarifications and sign a peace agreement on stamp duty, like an apology and settlement. But we find it tiring—annoying, yes. Coincidentally, we are the victims, so we are committed to continuing this case,” he added.
Case Chronology
The anarchic incident occurred on Sunday afternoon, around 11:18 AM WIB on Jalan Moch Nail, Bakti Jaya Village, Sukmajaya District, Depok City.
At that time, explained Musyaffa, the ambulance was heading to pick up a single-vehicle accident patient in Cilodong, Depok.
“The chronology is that at that time we were going to pick up a patient, yes. A single accident patient in Cilodong,” Musyaffa revealed.
Since the foundation’s office managing the ambulance is located inside a housing complex, they are accustomed to not sounding the siren until reaching public roads. Instead, said Musyaffa, the ambulance driver only used the horn and turned on the rotator as an emergency signal.
However, according to Musyaffa, the perpetrator did not accept the ambulance’s sound. The perpetrator tried to stop the ambulance, leading to verbal abuse.
“There, the perpetrator probably didn’t accept the jumping that we did, the short siren sound that we turned on. Finally, the perpetrator tried to stop us, stop us, then all sorts of abuse,” he explained.
Musyaffa said he had tried to explain to the perpetrator that the ambulance is a priority vehicle. Whether there is a patient or not, the ambulance is allowed to sound the siren.
Not accepting the explanation, the perpetrator chased the ambulance again. There, continued Musyaffa, the ambulance was kicked and damaged recklessly, along with threats from the perpetrator.
“But after the first scene of the incident, then the perpetrator chased again at the second scene. That’s where the destruction happened, trying to kick and hit various parts of the vehicle,” he said.
Police Actions
Meanwhile, Made Budi, Deputy Head of Public Relations for Metro Depok Police, explained that as a result of the blocking and vandalism incident, the victim’s ambulance suffered several damages, including dents.
The perpetrator reported the ambulance blocking and vandalism incident to the Depok police on Sunday night. From the report, the police conducted an investigation to identify the perpetrator and arrested him at his residence.
“Around 10:50 PM WIB, the perpetrator was successfully secured while with a witness, his brother-in-law, at his residence on Jl Jati Raya, Sukamaju Village, Cilodong District, Depok City,” said Made.
After the arrest, the perpetrator, witness, and the motorbike used as evidence were secured and brought to Metro Depok Police Headquarters for further investigation.
Police have designated the motorcyclist with initials ML, who went viral for obstructing an ambulance in Sukmajaya, Depok, as a suspect. ML is charged under Article 521 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on destruction, with a potential penalty of 2 years in prison.