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View all search resultsPolice solve three Batam theft cases targeting public equipment
Acting on tips from the public, the Riau Islands Police have solved three separate cases of theft targeting municipal equipment, netting six suspects and two fences, with one suspect still at large, who face maximum sentences of between four and seven years if convicted.
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Riau Islands Police chief Insp. Gen. Asep Safrudin (center, front) addresses a press conference related to three solved cases involving the theft of municipal equipment on April 2, 2026, at the Batam-Rempang-Galang (Barelang) Police station in Batam, accompanied by (from left, front row) Riau Islands Police spokesman Sr. Comr. Nona Pricilla Ohei, Batam Mayor Amsakar Achmad, Batam Deputy Mayor Li Claudia Chandra and Barelang Police chief Sr. Comr. Anggoro Wicaksono. (Courtesy of Barelang City Police/-)
P
olice have solved three separate cases that occurred in several locations over the past few weeks in Batam, all of which involved the theft of municipal equipment such as a traffic signal control box, base transceiver station (BTS) cables and street lighting cables.
Riau Islands Police chief Insp. Gen. Asep Safrudin said although the stolen items did not have high individual value, the thefts had unsettled the public because they were necessary equipment for operating vital public facilities.
“The thefts disrupted traffic lights, communication and electricity networks,” Asep told a press conference on Thursday.
Held at the Wicaksana Laghawa Hall of the Batam-Rempang-Galang (Barelang) Police station in Batam, he was accompanied by Batam Mayor Amsakar Achmad, Deputy Mayor Li Claudia Chandra and Barelang Police chief Sr. Comr. Anggoro Wicaksono.
“These crimes have the potential to disrupt public activities and ruin Batam’s standing as an investment destination,” Asep added.
The first theft took place in Sagulung district at around 5:45 a.m. on March 20, when the suspect, identified by his initials LM, allegedly climbed a 72-meter BTS tower to cut 1,680 meters of cable. He then stripped the cable and sold the copper core to a fence identified as BLM.
HS, a worker at the mobile service provider operating the BTS, reported the theft on behalf of his employer.
