Snatch Thief Drags Elderly Woman in Semarang After Pretending to Ask for Directions

An elderly woman named Suwarti was the victim of a snatch theft that resulted in her being dragged along Jalan Seroja, Karangkidul, Central Semarang, Central Java. The perpetrator is currently being pursued by the police.

“We are still hunting for the suspected perpetrator. The incident occurred several days ago, and the victim has filed a report at the local police station,” said the Head of Criminal Investigation at Semarang Tengah Police, Iptu Nurul, on Wednesday (2/9/2026).

It was reported that the incident took place on 19 August 2026. Nurul noted that the victim, Suwarti, is over 70 years old and rents a house near the scene of the crime.

At the time of the incident, Suwarti was heading home to Jalan Seroja when the perpetrator cornered her. The perpetrator’s modus operandi involved pretending to ask the victim for directions. Suwarti was carrying a small bag containing her wallet and a mobile phone.

“(The perpetrator) approached (the victim), pretending to ask for an address. The victim was carrying a small bag,” he explained.