Thief Caught Red-Handed Stealing at Istiqlal Mosque During Iktikaf Worship

Ten of the final nights of Ramadan were utilised by many Muslims for iktikaf worship at Istiqlal Mosque in Jakarta. However, one man took a different approach.

WRD (40), a resident of Senen in Central Jakarta, spent the ten final nights stealing from worshippers performing iktikaf. His actions were caught directly by his victim, RJK (19).

The theft occurred on Tuesday, 17 March at dawn. The management of Istiqlal Mosque handed WRD over to Sawah Besar Police Precinct for legal proceedings.

“After I confirmed that it indeed occurred at Istiqlal, the perpetrator has been handed over to the authorities,” said Asdar, Director of Istiqlal Mosque’s Media Development Institute, to detikcom on Tuesday, 17 March 2026.

The perpetrator targeted valuable items belonging to worshippers performing iktikaf during the final ten nights of Ramadan. Asdar stated that Istiqlal Mosque becomes extremely crowded during these nights.

“Yes, that’s correct (targeting iktikaf worshippers). There is indeed an opportunity when worshippers are asleep. Bags or unattended items become easy targets for thieves because they specifically target those items,” he said.

Despite this, the victim suffered no financial loss as the theft was discovered by other worshippers. Istiqlal authorities reminded worshippers to raise awareness about storing valuables safely and looking out for one another.

Asdar outlined several matters that worshippers should observe to safeguard their valuables. In an atmosphere that should be filled with devoted worship, there is potential for crime exploited by certain individuals.

“Especially for worshippers attending prayers or iktikaf at Istiqlal Mosque for the first time, those already accustomed to Istiqlal usually understand the situation there. Visiting worshippers do not all come with the intention to worship; some exploit situations where worshippers are careless with their belongings—during rest periods in the mosque, charging electronics, queuing for breaking fast. Thieves frequently exploit these situations to steal from worshippers,” he said.

The Pushing Modus Operandi

Police revealed the modus operandi of the mobile phone theft carried out by WRD. The perpetrator stole the victim’s phone quickly using an unexpected method: exploiting the crowded moment by pushing the victim.

WRD took the phone when RJK was about to leave or exit the main prayer hall of Istiqlal Mosque. However, the victim immediately noticed his item had been stolen and chased the perpetrator.

“The complainant felt being pushed, then just a few steps away, realised his phone stored in the right pocket of his gamis robe was missing,” said Sawah Besar Police Precinct Chief Kompol Rahmat Himawan.

The victim then chased WRD who had pushed him. By that time, WRD had placed the victim’s phone into a black totebag and attempted to hide it.

“The black totebag initially held by the suspected perpetrator, which contained the complainant’s phone, was then thrown by the perpetrator, and before it was thrown the complainant managed to retrieve his phone,” he said.

The moment the perpetrator was caught stealing attracted the attention of worshippers at Istiqlal Mosque. The perpetrator was then escorted by angry worshippers.

The incident was recorded on video by one of the worshippers at Istiqlal Mosque and the video went viral on social media. WRD was then secured by Istiqlal’s security personnel before being handed over to Sawah Besar Police Precinct.

Dressed as if Performing Worship

WRD was caught stealing a phone from a worshipper at Istiqlal Mosque performing iktikaf. WRD entered Istiqlal wearing a white koko shirt as if preparing for worship.

In photos received by detikcom, WRD was seen being transported from Istiqlal to be handed over to Sawah Besar Police Precinct by motorcycle.

“The perpetrator was secured by Istiqlal Mosque’s security. The night shift crime unit then received this report and brought the suspected perpetrator along with witnesses to Sawah Besar Police Precinct,” said Kompol Rahmat.

Previously Stole Three Times at Istiqlal

Following initial investigation, WRD had stolen multiple times at Istiqlal Mosque. Before his arrest at dawn, WRD had stolen over three consecutive days from Friday to Sunday (13-15 March).

“The suspected perpetrator had carried out his actions three times at Istiqlal Mosque,” said Rahmat.

WRD first stole an Infinix Hot 40 phone during Friday prayers. Two other thefts occurred during breaking-of-fast gatherings, stealing a Redmi 10 and Samsung A15.

It is suspected that two other individuals are linked to WRD’s theft operations: JEF, who acts as a fence, and YUD, who acts as the buyer of stolen goods.

“The suspected perpetrator, after carrying out his actions and obtaining the stolen items, immediately contacted JEF at an address in Kramat Pulo Bendungan Senen, then sold the items to YUD,” he said.

For his actions, WRD is charged under Article 476 of Indonesia’s Criminal Code. WRD remains under intensive questioning at Sawah Besar Police Precinct for further legal proceedings.