Viral Phone Robber Who Used False Harassment Accusations in Ciledug Arrested
The Mobile Crime Sub-directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate has apprehended AA, a man who went viral on social media for his phone theft operations in the Ciledug area of Tangerang City. AA stole victims’ mobile phones using a false accusation modus operandi.
Jakarta Metropolitan Police spokesperson Senior Commissioner Budi Hermanto explained that the phone theft committed by AA took place on Jalan Winong, Sudimara Jaya, Ciledug, Tangerang City, on Sunday 8 February. Budi said that AA employed false accusations to intimidate his victims during the commission of the crimes.
“The perpetrator would suddenly block victims who were walking, then hurl false accusations that the victim had sexually harassed his sister in order to instantly break down the victim’s mental defences,” Budi told reporters on Saturday (21/2/2026).
The victim, feeling under pressure and threat at the time, panicked and complied with the perpetrator’s instruction to ride pillion on his motorcycle.
“After going with the perpetrator, the victim was taken to a secluded location. There, the perpetrator began choking the victim and snatched the victim’s phone before fleeing the scene,” Budi said.
The perpetrator’s actions went viral on social media after being captured on CCTV footage. Based on analysis of the CCTV recordings, police immediately launched an investigation and pursuit of AA, ultimately leading to his arrest.
“The perpetrator’s time on the run came to an end in the early hours of Thursday, 19 February 2026. Officers successfully apprehended the suspect at his hideout in a rented room in a narrow alley in the Cipulir area, Kebayoran Lama, South Jakarta,” Budi said.
“Without resistance, the suspect identified as AA, who had just arrived at his residence for the pre-dawn Ramadan meal, was unable to put up any fight when he realised that those who had come for him were officers from the Mobile Crime Sub-directorate of the Jakarta Metropolitan Police’s General Criminal Investigation Directorate,” he added.
During questioning, AA confessed to his crimes. He admitted to having carried out similar operations at four different locations in January, spanning the Tanah Abang, Serpong, Manggarai, and most recently Ciledug areas.
Officers seized a number of items of evidence from the suspect, including a white Honda Scoopy motorcycle used during the crimes and the clothing worn by the perpetrator during the offences.
The suspect is currently undergoing intensive examination at Jakarta Metropolitan Police headquarters. He has been charged under Article 479 of the Criminal Code for robbery with violence, which carries a maximum sentence of nine years’ imprisonment.