Slick Pickpocketing of Phone at Blok M Now Under Police Investigation

Jakarta - Police are moving to investigate a smooth pickpocketing of a mobile phone carried out brazenly in the bustling Blok M area, South Jakarta. The phone thief is now being hunted by police.

The suspect’s actions went viral on social media as seen by detikcom. The pickpocketing incident at the Blok M shopping district was captured on CCTV cameras.

In the circulating video footage, the victim, a woman, is seen sitting casually with her friend on a bench on the sidewalk.

The victim did not realize the suspect had already been eyeing her phone. When her body was turned away from the phone placed on the table, the suspect swiftly snatched it in a flash.

At the time, the victim and her friend were taking a selfie. The suspect took advantage of the victim’s inattention and grabbed her phone. The suspect, a man wearing a black cap, then casually walked away from the victim.

The victim realized what had happened moments later, but the suspect had already left, having slipped the phone into the front of his pants. A passerby also tried to alert the victim about the suspect.

Jakarta Metropolitan Police Public Relations Chief Comr. Budi Hermanto said the victim has already filed a police report. The case is now being fully handled by the South Jakarta Metropolitan Police.

“The report filed here has been transferred to the South Jakarta Police. It is being handled by them. It is being handled by the South Jakarta Police,” Comr. Budi Hermanto told reporters at Jakarta Metropolitan Police Headquarters in South Jakarta on Saturday (14/2/2026).

Budi said investigators at the South Jakarta Metropolitan Police are currently looking deeper into the case. The victim and a number of witnesses have already been questioned.

“We are looking into it thoroughly, including taking statements from the complainant, witnesses, and there will be an analysis of evidence, in this case CCTV footage. We are investigating this further,” Budi said.

Budi also expressed hope that similar incidents would not happen again. He said the Jakarta Metropolitan Police wants public gathering places to remain safe for everyone.

“Hopefully incidents like this will not turn that area into a place people fear, creating a fear of crime among the public. We know these areas are where the economy circulates, where culinary life thrives, where tourism flourishes, and they serve as entertainment hubs for the community,” Budi said.

“We want to protect areas that serve as entertainment commodities for the public, places of happiness. They should not become places that instill fear,” he added.