Two Knife-Wielding Thieves Caught in Johar Baru Turn Out to Be Specialists in Scooter Theft

Two 26-year-old men, identified by initials AW and I, who were caught by residents while stealing a scooter in Johar Baru, Central Jakarta, turned out to be specialists in scooter theft who are active again ahead of Eid al-Fitr.

Johar Baru Police Sector Chief Commissioner Saiful Anwar said this emerged from the suspects’ questioning.

‘They used to steal. They usually operate in East Jakarta. The perpetrators say they have stopped stealing for a year,’ Saiful told reporters on Wednesday (4 April 2026).

According to Saiful, before they were captured by residents in Johar Baru, the pair had previously stolen a scooter in North Jakarta. They had also attempted to strike in East Jakarta but failed.

After that, AW and I again attempted to steal a scooter in the Johar Baru area, Central Jakarta. This time their operation ended with their being apprehended by residents.

‘Unfortunately they were then captured by residents because the public had become suspicious of two men walking back and forth in front of a house,’ he said. ‘Residents reported suspicious activity and cooperated with officers after the suspects were secured.’

Saiful urged the public to heighten vigilance when parking vehicles, especially as Lebaran approaches. He suggested using a double lock when parking a motorcycle. ‘If you have only one key it can be broken. A double key is safer. When parking a motorcycle, don’t park haphazardly. Leave it in a clearly designated parking area,’ he added.

According to the suspects’ confessions, the stolen motorcycle was left by the roadside in the Sunter area.

‘Their statement from I indicates they had stolen a motorcycle and left the vehicle by the roadside in Sunter Kirana 4 Block U, Sunter, Tanjung Priok, North Jakarta,’ Saiful said.

Following this, the Johar Baru Police Sector team secured one black Honda Beat scooter from the location to be used as evidence.

Earlier, Saiful stated that AW and I had been named as suspects in a case of aggravated theft.