Seven Suitcases Belonging to Thai Tourists Stolen at Bromo, Police Form Special Team
Probolinggo — Probolinggo District Police in East Java have moved swiftly by forming a special team to handle the case of seven suitcases belonging to foreign tourists from Thailand that went missing in the Mount Bromo area.
“The incident occurred over the weekend and is currently being handled by police officers. The victims have officially reported the incident to Probolinggo District Police,” said Probolinggo Police Chief AKBP M. Wahyudin Latif in a statement on Tuesday.
He said that Probolinggo District Police received the official report from the tourists who fell victim to the suitcase theft on Sunday, 15 February, and his team immediately launched an investigation.
“It is confirmed that we have received a report regarding the alleged disappearance of seven suitcases belonging to Thai tourists. This case has our full attention as it concerns the security of foreign tourists within Probolinggo District Police’s jurisdiction,” he said.
He explained that based on an initial review of CCTV recordings around the location, the Criminal Investigation Unit had conducted an investigation and taken statements from a number of residents near the crime scene in the Mount Bromo tourist area.
“The Criminal Investigation Unit has currently examined witnesses who were near the crime scene in order to uncover the incident fully and thoroughly,” he said.
Latif also stressed that his team had formed a special unit to expedite the resolution of the case, as the incident could damage the security image of Mount Bromo, a tourist destination that has thus far been safe and conducive.
“We are committed to uncovering this incident professionally and providing a sense of security to all tourists visiting Mount Bromo, both international and domestic,” he said.
As of now, the investigation is still ongoing. Police have urged members of the public with any information related to the incident to come forward immediately to assist in resolving the case.
The seven suitcases belonging to the Thai tourists, containing valuable items, went missing during a holiday in the Mount Bromo area, Sukapura sub-district, Probolinggo regency, on Sunday, 15 February. The theft occurred whilst the tourist group’s vehicle was parked at the Sukapura Sub-district Pavilion.
All the tourists’ suitcases were initially stored inside the parked vehicle. The driver and the tourist group then stepped out briefly, and the vehicle carrying the suitcases was locked. When the group returned to the vehicle, the contents were in disarray and seven suitcases containing valuable items were missing.