Tuesday, 28 July 2026
BATAM | INDATANEWS.COM - The Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim) of the Barelang City Police (Polresta Barelang) has solved two cases of violent theft involving handbag-snatching methods that had previously caused public concern in Nongsa District, Batam City. Police arrested three suspects in two separate cases, while another suspect remains on the wanted list (DPO).
The Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of Polresta Barelang, Kompol M. Debby Tri Andrestian, led a press conference regarding the case investigation on Friday, July 17, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. Western Indonesian Time (WIB) in the lobby of the Polresta Barelang Headquarters.He was accompanied by the Head of Nongsa Police Sector, Kompol Eriman; the Head of the Nongsa Police Investigation Unit, Ipda Rayhan Aditya Ramadhan; the Head of the Jatanras Unit of Satreskrim Polresta Barelang, Iptu Maryo Sandro Putra Siahaan; and the Head of Sub-Unit 8 of Satreskrim Polresta Barelang, Ipda Dedy Yantho Pasaribu.
Kompol M. Debby Tri Andrestian stated that his team successfully uncovered the cases after receiving two public reports regarding handbag-snatching crimes. The incidents occurred on Jalan Hang Tuah near the Kabil Roundabout, Batu Besar Subdistrict, and on Jalan Hang Jebat in front of the Symphony Land residential complex, Sambau Subdistrict, Nongsa District, Batam City.In both incidents, the suspects used almost identical methods. They first followed their victims, forced their vehicles to move toward the roadside on relatively quiet roads, forcibly took their bags, and then fled on motorcycles.
When the victim reached the airport roundabout area, two suspects approached her using a black Yamaha NMAX motorcycle and forced her vehicle toward the side of the road. The suspect sitting on the rear seat then snatched the victim's bag before both suspects escaped toward the Punggur area.
The victim attempted to chase the suspects but eventually lost track of them. The incident caused a material loss estimated at around Rp12 million.Based on the victim's testimony, descriptions of the suspects, the vehicle used, and information from the public, a joint team consisting of investigators from Nongsa Police, the Jatanras Unit of Satreskrim Polresta Barelang, and investigators from Sei Beduk Police managed to identify the suspects' whereabouts.
Police later arrested two suspects in the Kavling Mawar area, Tanjung Piayu Subdistrict, Sei Beduk District, Batam City. The suspects were identified as JY (25), who acted as the motorcycle rider, and IA (24), who allegedly carried out the bag-snatching action.Police confiscated several pieces of evidence from the two suspects, including a black sling bag, a purple iPhone 11, a black Yamaha NMAX motorcycle used during the crime, the clothes worn during the incident, and the victim's wallet.
The second incident occurred on Tuesday, July 7, 2026, at around 10:00 a.m. WIB on Jalan Hang Jebat in front of the Symphony Land residential complex, Sambau Subdistrict, Nongsa District.
The victim, identified by the initials A (18), was riding a motorcycle with his mother at the time. As they passed the crime scene, two suspects approached them using a blue Honda Verza motorcycle and forced their vehicle toward the side of the road.One of the suspects then used a sharp object to cut the strap of the victim's bag and took it away. The victim suffered a material loss of approximately Rp1.7 million.
The joint team from Nongsa Police investigators, the Jatanras Unit of Satreskrim Polresta Barelang, and Bengkong Police investigators immediately launched a search operation. Police eventually arrested a suspect identified by the initials AS (36) in the Bengkong Telaga Indah area, Bengkong District, Batam City. The suspect is known to be a repeat offender.During the arrest, officers seized several pieces of evidence, including a blue Honda Verza motorcycle, two helmets, and the victim's bag, which was still in the suspect's possession.
Another suspect identified as I, believed to be around 25 years old and allegedly the main perpetrator who took the victim's bag, remains at large. Police have placed him on the wanted list and continue efforts to locate him.
Kompol M. Debby Tri Andrestian said investigators are continuing to expand the investigation to uncover possible links between the suspects and similar crimes that may have occurred within the jurisdiction of Polresta Barelang.
The suspects are facing criminal charges under Article 477 paragraph (1) letter g in conjunction with Article 479 paragraph (2) letter a of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Indonesian Criminal Code, as well as Article 479 paragraph (1) in conjunction with paragraph (2) letter d of the same law. They could face imprisonment of up to 12 years.Polresta Barelang also appealed to the public to remain vigilant while riding, especially on quiet roads and during nighttime hours. Police urged residents who witness, become aware of, or experience criminal acts to immediately contact the nearest police station or call the 24-hour police emergency hotline at 110.
These measures are expected to strengthen the authorities' rapid response in protecting and assisting the community. (IDNC)REPORTER: Dalil Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala
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