Samarinda Police Arrest Store Robbery Specialists, One Suspect a Minor
The Criminal Investigation Unit of Samarinda Police, together with the Sungai Pinang Police, arrested two men on Monday suspected of a series of violent thefts targeting shops. One of the suspects is a minor and has been classified as a child in conflict with the law (ABH).
The Head of the Samarinda Police Criminal Investigation Unit, Commissioner Rahmat Aribowo, stated that the case gained public attention after a video of the theft, which involved violence against two female employees, went viral on social media.
According to the suspect’s confession, the pair used a similar modus operandi in several locations, including MM Iwan Mart, Alfamidi, Cilukba baby equipment store, and Annas Store in the Bengkuring area, North Samarinda. Police suspect there may be additional crime scenes and are urging other victims to come forward.
One of the incidents occurred on 2 May 2026 at MM Iwan Mart on Jalan Poros Bengkuring Raya. Employees discovered the store’s attendance machine, CCTV monitor, and server room power had been switched off, and the back door and safe were open with cash missing. CCTV footage showed the suspects entering through the back door around 2:46 AM local time and disabling the power to avoid recording.
A similar theft occurred at the same location on 26 May 2026, where the perpetrators stole over Rp15 million in cash after breaking into the safe and prying open a warehouse door on the second floor. The suspects were eventually tracked down and arrested on Jalan Padat Karya, Samarinda.
The most recent incident took place at Annas Store on 2 July 2026, where the adult suspect acted alone. He used a knife to threaten two employees who were sleeping on the second floor. One victim suffered a slash wound to the right leg, while the other sustained a stab wound to the right knee and a scratch on the left cheek. The suspect fled with Rp350,000 in cash.
Both suspects are in custody at Samarinda Police headquarters for further legal proceedings. They are charged under Article 477 of the Criminal Code on aggravated theft, which carries a maximum sentence of seven years, and Article 479 on violent theft, which carries a maximum sentence of nine years.