Unusual Act: Grocery Store Thief Apologises Through a Letter

An unusual act was carried out by a thief who targeted a grocery store owned by Alfin Setyo Tunggal (37) in Mojokerto, East Java. The perpetrator conveyed an apology to the shop owner through a letter left at the scene.

The theft occurred on Sunday (7/6/2026) around 12.30 WIB. Alfin initially saw a man entering and exiting his shop in Guwo Hamlet, Jabontegal Village, Pungging, Mojokerto. Alfin, who was tending to fish about 25 metres in front of his shop, noticed the suspicious man wearing a black hoodie, jeans, and a black hat and mask.

Alfin ran into his house to alert his wife, concerned the man might be a customer. However, the man did not call out to the shop owner like other buyers. Alfin then confronted and searched the man’s jacket and trouser pockets, finding six packs of cigarettes stolen from the shop’s display case. ‘I took two, the other four packs were taken out by the perpetrator himself,’ Alfin said on Friday (12/6/2026).

According to Alfin, the thief struggled, forcing him to grab a machete from inside the shop to intimidate the perpetrator, fearing he might also be carrying a sharp weapon. The midday arrest was recorded on video by Alfin’s wife. In the footage, the perpetrator repeatedly apologised to the victim and even pleaded, saying in Javanese, ‘No, sir, truly no, just cigarettes, sir. My ID card is from Krembung, Sidoarjo. I sincerely apologise profusely, sir.’

Not only did he apologise, but the perpetrator also offered to pay for the six packs of cigarettes he had stolen. Alfin, however, magnanimously refused. He chose to forgive him, returned the perpetrator’s ID card, and let the thief leave after securing his cigarettes. ‘I felt sorry for him, perhaps he just made a mistake, I forgave him,’ he explained.

Moments later, the situation reversed when Alfin’s wife checked the shop’s cash drawer. It turned out the thief had deceived them. The father of two immediately chased the perpetrator to the Krembung area in Sidoarjo, having briefly read the address on the ID card. ‘After I forgave him and the thief had left, my wife checked the shop drawer and found the money was also missing. I chased the perpetrator but could not find him,’ he said.

Around 15.00 WIB, Alfin stopped searching as he had to work. During his break at around 18.00 WIB, the animal feed factory worker in Pungging reported the incident to the Pungging Police Station. The story did not end there. The following day, Monday (8/6), the thief surprised Alfin again. The perpetrator secretly returned to the shop, not to steal again, but to deliver a handwritten letter on a scrap of paper. The letter was slipped under the door of Alfin’s shop and was first discovered by his wife after dawn prayers. Through the letter, the perpetrator admitted his actions and apologised.

‘I read it and it turned out to be a letter from the thief. It contained an apology, saying the theft was to pay for his child’s school fees and that the money would be returned in two weeks. I am just waiting for a good response from the thief,’ he stated.

The contents of the letter written by the perpetrator were as follows:

‘I sincerely apologise, sir, ma’am. My salary has been withheld. I am deeply sorry. I was desperate, sir, ma’am, I needed money and could not find a loan. If I don’t pay, my child cannot attend school. Your money, Rp 352,000, I will return Rp 400,000 after I get paid in two weeks. I sincerely apologise, sir, ma’am. My child’s schooling cannot be postponed. This is my first time stealing. I will never do it again.’