Viral: Man Locked Inside Shop-House in Depok After Allegedly Stealing Air Conditioning Unit and Damaging Building

A video circulated online showing a man locked inside a shop-house (ruko) on Kalimulya Main Street, Sukmajaya, Depok, after he was suspected of stealing an air conditioning unit and damaging the property. According to AKP Made Budi, Head of Public Relations for the Metro Depok Police, the man was detained by the shop-house owner on Wednesday, 25 February at 08:00 Western Indonesian Time following a landlord-tenant dispute.

The tenant had rented the shop-house for two years. When the owner arrived to inspect the property after the lease expired, he discovered that two air conditioning units had been removed from the walls. The owner also found the walls damaged with holes and discoloured paint, along with missing fence chains, a damaged sink, and broken drainage systems.

The tenant initially refused to compensate the owner for the damages and losses. Growing frustrated, the owner brought the tenant to the shop-house and locked him inside from the outside. The police subsequently mediated the dispute between the two parties.

Following mediation, the tenant agreed to compensate the owner for the stolen items and repair the damaged building. The property owner’s losses included the two air conditioning units, fence chains, sink, and water drainage system.