Repeat Offender Arrested for Motorcycle Theft in Tambora to Fund Drug Habit

Jakarta (ANTARA) - Police have arrested a 30-year-old man, identified by the initials AF, who is a repeat offender previously convicted of cable theft, after he stole a motorcycle in the Tambora area of West Jakarta to fund his drug habit.

“On 15 June 2026, the Tambora Police Criminal Investigation Unit apprehended a man with the initials AF, aged 30, in the Duri Selatan area, Tambora District, West Jakarta,” said Tambora Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head, AKP Sudrajat Djumantara, when confirmed on Friday.

The theft began when the victim parked their motorcycle outside their home on Thursday night (11/6). Shortly afterwards, the perpetrator, who had been conducting surveillance, approached the motorcycle and broke the ignition using a T-key. The victim realised the motorcycle was missing the following day and immediately reported the incident to the Tambora Police.

“It was discovered that AF had previously committed several motor vehicle thefts in various locations across West Jakarta,” Sudrajat said. He noted that vehicles parked in unsecured conditions are easy targets for perpetrators to carry out their crimes.

Based on the investigation, the perpetrator used the proceeds from selling the stolen goods to buy methamphetamine and meet daily needs. “The motive was for daily living and to use drugs, specifically methamphetamine,” he stated.

AF is known to be a repeat offender in a PLN cable theft case that also occurred in the West Jakarta area. “AF himself is a repeat offender in a cable theft case, also in West Jakarta. So, the article we are charging him with is aggravated theft, Article 477 of the Criminal Code,” Sudrajat added.