Viral Armed Motor Vehicle Theft Gang in West Jakarta Arrested, Minor Involved

Jakarta Metropolitan Police have arrested members of a motor vehicle theft gang that operated in the Grogol Petamburan area of West Jakarta. The perpetrators carried out their crimes whilst armed with a homemade firearm.

The gang’s actions went viral on social media on Monday (23/2/2026). Four suspects riding two motorcycles entered an alleyway to carry out their operation.

At the location, motorcycles were seen parked in a row along the alleyway. Two of the suspects served as lookouts monitoring the surrounding area, whilst the other two stole the victim’s motorcycle.

“That is correct. The Motor Vehicle Sub-directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police’s Criminal Investigation Directorate has secured two suspected members of a motor vehicle theft gang that went viral in the Grogol Petamburan jurisdiction,” said Jakarta Metropolitan Police Public Relations Chief Commissioner Budi Hermanto to reporters.

Budi stated the suspects were arrested at 09:30 Western Indonesian Time on Monday (23/2) in the Cikupa area of Tangerang Regency. Disturbingly, a minor was involved in the theft operation.

“The two suspects who were secured include a perpetrator with the initials ANJ (18 years old) and another who is a juvenile offender,” he said.

Police also seized a number of items of evidence, including a homemade firearm recovered from the suspects. Authorities are currently conducting further investigations and pursuing the two remaining suspects.

“The suspects were secured along with evidence including a homemade firearm, a motorcycle, and tools believed to have been used to carry out the theft. Meanwhile, two other suspects remain at large and have been placed on the wanted persons list,” he explained.