Residents of Duta Harapan in North Bekasi have resorted to offering a Rp 500,000 (US$37) reward to anyone who is able to catch the thieves who have been plaguing the housing complex, as even security officers have failed to secure the area.   

“We are very upset because many thieves operate around Duta Lake, which is located near our residential area. That’s why we are holding this contest,” neighborhood unit (RT) head Ahmad Said said on Tuesday.  

The competition was launched in May and is open to the public. It will remain open until the thieves are arrested.

According to Ahmad, five cars have been stolen near the housing complex using the same method of breaking a window to gain control of the vehicles. Motorcycles have also gone missing, he said.

Ahmad fell victim to thieves himself when his car was stolen in April.

 “My bag [which was inside the car] held a laptop, a cell phone and money. I left the car for about 10 minutes to buy a drink,” he told wartakota.tribunnews.com.

Ahmad filed a report of the theft to the North Bekasi Police, who intensified their patrol of the area.

Harapan Baru subdistrict head Pristanto said the contest was the residents’ initiative.

Residents are taking the contest seriously, putting up three banners around the lake warning people that the area had become dangerous and promoting the Rp 500,000 reward money for catching thieves.  (wnd)