Thai Tourist's Luggage Thieves Arrested at Bromo, Modus Operandi Revealed
Thieves Steal Thai Tourist’s Suitcases in Bromo, Here’s How They Did It
- ANTARA/HO-Public Relations of the Probolinggo Police
Probolinggo, VIVA – The Probolinggo Police have finally arrested three individuals who stole suitcases belonging to a foreign tourist from Thailand in the Bromo Mountain tourist area, Probolinggo Regency, East Java.
“The theft occurred in the parking area at the entrance to Wonotoro Village, which borders Ngadisari Village, Sukapura District, Probolinggo Regency,” said the Head of the Probolinggo Police, Senior Commissioner M. Wahyudin Latif, during a press conference held in the lobby of the Probolinggo Police Headquarters on Tuesday.
The victim, identified as MKJ (54), a foreign national from Thailand, lost three bags and three suitcases while on vacation in Bromo Mountain on 15 February 2026. As a result of the incident, the victim suffered losses of Rp108,368,200.
The Police Chief said that the modus operandi used by the group of perpetrators was to damage the lock of the Hiace car used by the victim, then take the items inside the vehicle.
“From the results of the investigation, the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Probolinggo Police successfully secured three suspects, namely AR (34), as the executor; ES (46) who acted as the mastermind of the theft; and NF (45) who participated in knowing the plan and helped to dispose of the evidence,” he said.
According to him, suspect AR was arrested on 21 February 2026 in the Kedopok area, Probolinggo City. From the interrogation, he admitted to carrying out the theft on the orders of ES.
Officers then secured ES and his wife, NF, at their home in the Pesona Graha Kencana housing complex, Probolinggo City.
“From the investigation, we also secured a number of pieces of evidence, including a Toyota Avanza Veloz car which was used during the crime, the clothes worn by the perpetrators, and the victim’s suitcases which were thrown into the river,” he said.
As a result of their actions, AR was charged with Article 477 paragraph (1) letter f of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code, with a maximum prison sentence of 7 years, while ES and NF were charged with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code for participating in the criminal act.
Latif explained that the disclosure of this case is a commitment of the Probolinggo Police in maintaining the security of the tourist area, especially international destinations such as Bromo Mountain.
“We ensure that every report will be followed up professionally. The safety of tourists, both domestic and foreign, is our priority,” he said. (Ant)