Two Ship Parts Thieves Arrested in Waters off Banten

Police have arrested two men accused of raiding ships in waters off Banten. They targeted ship spare parts to sell.

The two suspects, identified by the initials B, 54, and R, 56, allegedly carried out the thefts at around 1am Western Indonesian Time. They targeted cargo and coal ships anchored in Banten waters, particularly off Merak and Bojonegara.

“They carried out their actions at around 1am, when the ship’s guards at the jetties or on the anchored vessels may not have been alert or may have been resting,” Banten Police’s water and air police director, Senior Commissioner Eko Hartanto, said on Thursday (22 October 2026).

After boarding the ships, the two men entered with equipment, including bladed weapons they had brought from shore. When the guards noticed them, the suspects restrained them.

“They used the equipment they had to get onto the ship, while possibly restraining the guards, tying them up and so on,” he said.

After restraining the guards, the suspects stole valuable ship parts.

“They then carried out the theft, taking parts they knew were expensive, including ship engine parts,” he said.

The stolen parts were then sold. Police said the loss from a single ship whose parts were stolen could reach Rp200 million.

“The loss is Rp200 million for one ship,” he said.