Vehicle Repossession Ends in Mob Attack in Riau, 4 Debt Collectors Arrested
A video showing violent actions by debt collectors against a man in Pekanbaru City, Riau, has gone viral. A joint team from the Riau Provincial Police’s Directorate of Criminal Investigation and the Pekanbaru Police Resort immediately took action and arrested several perpetrators.
In the circulating video footage, the victim is seen being mobbed by several individuals identified as debt collectors. The perpetrators also struck the victim on the head with a plastic chair, causing him to stagger weakly.
The incident occurred at a coffee shop on Jalan Belimbing, Marpoyan Damai Subdistrict, on Saturday (25/4). Currently, several perpetrators have been secured by the Riau Provincial Police.
The Director of General Criminal Investigation at the Riau Provincial Police, Senior Commissioner Hasyim Risahondua, explained that the case’s resolution resulted from the quick work of the joint team from the Riau Provincial Police’s Mobile Brigade and the Pekanbaru Police Resort’s Criminal Investigation Unit after receiving a public report regarding alleged joint violence in public and extortion.
“From the investigation results, we have secured several individuals suspected of being directly involved in the violence and extortion. The modus operandi used was stopping the vehicle on the road, then demanding money from the victim under the pretext of repossession fees,” said Hasyim in his statement on Sunday (26/4/2026).
Currently, the police have secured four main perpetrators with initials AD, DO, DA, and HS. Meanwhile, several other perpetrators are still being pursued.
Additionally, another individual with initials YL, known to be a member of the Indonesian Air Force (TNI AU), has been secured, and his handling has been handed over to the Air Force Military Police for further processing.
Evidence seized in this case includes one Toyota Fortuner vehicle previously controlled by the perpetrators. Hasyim explained that the incident began when a debtor’s vehicle was forcibly stopped by a group claiming to be debt collectors from a leasing company. Not only did they take control of the vehicle, but the perpetrators also allegedly demanded money from the victim.
When the victim’s legal representatives attempted mediation and requested the vehicle be returned, the situation escalated. The victim then suffered joint violent actions resulting in head injuries.
“We emphasise that there is no justified mechanism for vehicle repossession by financing parties to be carried out forcibly on the road, especially accompanied by violence. Actions like this fall under criminal offences and will be firmly addressed,” Hasyim stressed.
Hasyim affirmed that the Riau Provincial Police will not tolerate practices of thuggery under the guise of debt collection that disturb the public.
“We urge the entire community, if they encounter similar practices, to immediately report to the police. Law enforcement will be carried out professionally and without compromise against all forms of violence,” he said.