Thief in Mojokerto Leaves Apology Letter After Stealing from Grocery Store

A thief in Mojokerto committed an unusual act after stealing from a grocery store owned by Alfin Setyo Tunggal (37). After the theft, the perpetrator sent a handwritten apology letter which he slipped under the door of the victim’s shop.

The case began on Sunday (7/6) around 12.30 WIB. Alfin saw the perpetrator entering and exiting his grocery store in Guwo Hamlet, Jabontegal Village, Pungging, Mojokerto. At the time, Alfin was tending to fish about 25 metres in front of his shop. The suspicious man was wearing a black hoodie, jeans, a black hat, and a black mask.

Alfin ran into the house to alert his wife because he was worried the man intended to buy something. However, the man did not call out to the shop owner like a normal customer. Alfin then confronted and searched the man’s jacket and trouser pockets, finding six packs of stolen cigarettes from the shop’s display case. “I took two, the other four were taken out by the perpetrator himself,” Alfin told detikJatim.

According to Alfin, the thief tried to resist, forcing him to grab a machete from inside the shop to intimidate the perpetrator, fearing he might also be carrying a sharp weapon. The thief not only apologised but also offered to pay for the six packs of cigarettes. Alfin, however, generously refused. He chose to forgive the man, returned his identity card (KTP), and let him go after securing the cigarettes. “I felt sorry for him, maybe he just made a mistake, I forgave him,” he explained.

Moments later, the situation changed when Alfin’s wife checked the shop’s cash drawer. They discovered the thief had also stolen money. The father of two immediately chased the perpetrator towards the Krembung area in Sidoarjo, having briefly read the address on his KTP.

The following day, Monday (8/6), the thief surprised Alfin again. He secretly returned to the shop, not to steal, but to deliver a handwritten letter of apology on a scrap of paper.

The letter read: “Sorry sir/madam. My salary has been suspended. I am desperate sir/madam, I need money but couldn’t find a loan. If I don’t pay, I can’t participate. I will return your money of Rp 352,000 in two weeks, I will give back Rp 400,000. Sorry sir/madam. My child’s schooling cannot be delayed. This is the first time I have stolen. I will not do it again.”