Woman Named Suspect After Attempting to Burn Down Gold Shop and Stealing Jewelry

Makassar, CNN Indonesia – Police have named a woman with the initials S (40) as a suspect after she attempted to steal gold and jewelry worth Rp 2 billion by setting fire to a gold shop in Ujung Pandang District, Makassar, South Sulawesi.

“Yes, the perpetrator has been named a suspect,” Makassar Metropolitan Police Chief Comr. Arya Perdana told CNNIndonesia.com on Saturday (14/2).

As a result of her actions, Arya said, the suspect has been charged under Articles 479 and 308 of Law Number 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code.

“We are applying multiple charges, namely Articles 479 and 308 of the new Criminal Code,” he explained.

Based on the examination results, Arya said the suspect had previously carried out the same type of crime in Jeneponto Regency. She then struck again in Makassar on Thursday (12/2). However, her attempt in Makassar was foiled by local residents.

“The suspect has struck twice, the previous time in Jeneponto,” he said.

Timeline of the Makassar Incident

The incident in Makassar occurred when suspect S visited a gold shop pretending to be a buyer. After several pieces of gold jewelry were gathered into a single container, the suspect claimed she wanted to photograph the gold to send to her husband.

However, when the shop owner tried to prevent her from taking photos, the woman suddenly set the shop on fire. Based on preliminary examination, the suspect had prepared a mineral water bottle filled with gasoline, which she brought from her home in Bantaeng.

“Once the gold was gathered, the suspect immediately set the fire. When the flames appeared and people panicked, the suspect grabbed the gold already in the container and tried to flee,” he explained.

According to Arya, the gold collected by the suspect was valued at nearly Rp 2 billion, with a total weight of approximately one kilogram of jewelry in various sizes, including pieces weighing 98 grams and 100 grams.

“The suspect did manage to take the gold, but it was immediately secured. The evidence has been returned to the shop owner,” he said.

Based on preliminary examination, Arya said the suspect’s actions were driven by financial problems and she acted alone.

“She admitted she was desperate because she was burdened by debt. When she arrived, she only carried a paper bag containing a mineral water bottle and a lighter,” he explained.