Swift Operation: Begal-Hunting Team Arrests 16 Suspects in Three Days

Jakarta, Kompas.com — The rising wave of street robberies in Jakarta and its surroundings has prompted intensified police operations. In three consecutive days, the Begal-Hunting Team established by the Metro Jaya Regional Police arrested 16 perpetrators of street crime in various areas. The operation followed public discussions on social media about robbery and aggravated theft. In the three days, eight suspects were arrested on the first day, two on the second, and six on the third. One case involved the hijacking of a mobile phone from a boy filming a bus in the Ciputat area, South Tangerang. ‘In the latest arrests of the six suspects, officers also recovered a number of evidentiary items including firearms used to threaten victims,’ said Kombes Pol Iman Imanuddin, Director of General Criminal Investigation at Metro Jaya Regional Police, on Wednesday 20 May 2026, quoted by Antara. The presence of a community watch (pos kamling) and quick reporting by residents aided the arrests. ‘This evening we are providing information on the continuation of the Begal-Hunting Team. For three consecutive days, we have continued joint efforts with the community, especially residents who conscientiously safeguard their environment through neighbourhood watch posts,’ Iman said. In addition to economic factors, police found indications of drug use among the suspected begal. ‘The motives revealed through interrogations are firstly to meet economic needs. Secondly, some used drugs to purchase narcotics. Because some of them tested positive for amphetamine,’ Iman said. Moreover, reports from the public and social media activists helped speed up case handling. ‘The rapid reporting by social media activists and the activity of residents at neighbourhood security posts (Pos Kamling) are considered the key to the rapid disclosure of these cases,’ Iman added. The suspects face charges under Article 477 on robbery with aggravation, Article 478 on theft, Article 479 on robbery with violence, and Article 306 relating to possession and misuse of firearms, ammunition, and illegal explosives. They face a maximum prison term of 15 years.