Thursday, 03 September 2026

Police Solve School Inventory Theft at SDN 20 Aek Batu

AHMAD ZULFIKAR SAGALA - Sunday, 23 August 2026 12:00

PHOTO: Doc. Torgamba Police

SUSPECT IN SCHOOL INVENTORY THEFT ARRESTED: Police arrested a man identified by the initials MUH alias Udin, who is suspected of being involved in the theft of inventory from SDN 20 Aek Batu in Torgamba District, Labuhanbatu Selatan. Officers recovered a 75-inch Hisense LCD television from him as evidence.

LABUHANBATU SELATAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Torgamba Police, under the Labuhanbatu Selatan Police Department, has solved the theft of school inventory belonging to SDN 20 Aek Batu in Torgamba District, Labuhanbatu Selatan Regency. Officers arrested a 34-year-old man identified by the initials MUH, also known as Udin, who is suspected of being involved in the theft of several items belonging to the school.

Police arrested MUH alias Udin on Friday, August 21, 2026, at around 5:30 p.m. local time within the jurisdiction of the Torgamba Police. During the operation, officers also recovered a 75-inch Hisense LCD television, which is suspected to be one of the school inventory items reported missing.

The case has drawn attention because the theft targeted an educational institution and involved equipment intended to support school and teaching activities. The loss of various school facilities not only caused financial damage but could also disrupt educational activities.

Investigation Launched After School Reports Missing Inventory

Labuhanbatu Selatan Police Chief AKBP Rosef Efendi, S.I.K., M.H., CPHR., through Torgamba Police Chief AKP Sunipan Gurusinga, S.H., said that Criminal Investigation Unit officers immediately launched an investigation after receiving a report concerning the missing school inventory.

"After receiving information about the disappearance of several school inventory items, Criminal Investigation Unit officers at the Torgamba Police immediately examined the scene and collected statements and evidence. Based on the investigation, officers were eventually able to identify the suspected perpetrator," AKP Sunipan Gurusinga, S.H., said Saturday, August 22, 2026, during a conversation at the Torgamba Police station.

The school discovered the incident on Tuesday, July 14, 2026, at around 10:00 a.m. local time. The acting principal of SDN 20 Aek Batu, 57-year-old Darsinak, received information from several witnesses concerning the disappearance of school inventory.

The stolen items included a 75-inch Hisense touchscreen LCD television, a 12-inch Asus computer monitor, a black Asus laptop, a computer CPU, two Miyako wall fans, an iron bar from a gate barrier, and approximately 50 meters of cable from a jet-pump installation.

EVIDENCE BEING CROSS-CHECKED: Torgamba Police Chief AKP Sunipan Gurusinga said police are continuing to examine the suspect's statements and compare them with the evidence in the school inventory theft case. (PHOTO: Doc. Torgamba Police)

The theft caused the school an estimated loss of around Rp20 million.

After receiving the report, officers on duty, together with Criminal Investigation Unit personnel from the Torgamba Police, examined the scene and gathered information from several individuals. Investigators then continued analyzing the available leads until they obtained indications regarding the identity of the man suspected of being involved in the theft.

Police Arrest Suspect and Recover Evidence

After identifying the suspect, Torgamba Police Chief AKP Sunipan Gurusinga instructed Criminal Investigation Unit Chief IPTU Rajo Irawan Hamonangan, S.H., M.H., together with other officers, to arrest the man.

The operation was successful. Criminal Investigation Unit officers arrested MUH alias Udin on Friday afternoon, August 21, 2026. According to police, the man is from Dusun Aek Torop Timur, Aek Batu Village, Torgamba District.

During an initial interrogation, the suspect admitted to breaking into SDN 20 Aek Batu and stealing items from the school. Police subsequently secured a 75-inch Hisense LCD television as evidence.

Although a suspect has already been arrested, investigators are continuing their work. Officers are examining the sequence of events and searching for the remaining items whose disappearance had previously been reported.

The Torgamba Police chief said the investigation so far indicated that the suspected motive was financial gain. However, investigators will continue to verify the suspect's statements against the available evidence and the findings of the investigation.

"The preliminary motive is financial in nature. However, we are continuing to examine the suspect's statements and compare them with the available evidence," AKP Sunipan said.

Police Urge Schools to Strengthen Security

The theft also serves as a reminder to school authorities to strengthen security measures for educational assets. School premises left unattended, particularly outside school hours, can become vulnerable to criminal activity when adequate preventive measures are not in place.

The Torgamba Police have urged schools to improve the protection of all assets and educational facilities. Doors, windows, storage rooms, electronic equipment, and school grounds should be checked regularly to prevent similar incidents.

"Security is not solely the responsibility of the police. We urge the public, including schools, to work together to protect assets and immediately report any suspicious activity to the police," the police chief said in closing.

The resolution of the case demonstrates the importance of reports from the public in law enforcement. The school's initial information provided the basis for the scene examination, collection of witness statements, and subsequent investigation, which eventually led officers to the suspected perpetrator.

The Torgamba Police reaffirmed their commitment to solving various crimes that cause concern among the public, including theft involving public facilities and educational institutions.

Torgamba Police Chief AKP Sunipan Gurusinga also urged residents to immediately file a report if they become victims of a crime or observe suspicious activities in their surroundings.

"If you become a victim of a crime or witness a crime in your surroundings, immediately contact the 110 Call Center," he urged.

With the case now solved, police hope that the security of educational institutions in the Torgamba area will receive greater attention from all parties. Protecting school inventory means not only safeguarding the property of educational institutions, but also ensuring that the facilities remain available to support teaching and the education of future generations. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Jhon Fitra Sagala | EDITOR: Fik Sagala