Minimarket Robber Arrested in Bekasi; Used Lighter as Fake Gun

Authorities in Bekasi, Indonesia, have arrested a 20-year-old man identified as ARM for a brazen minimarket robbery. The incident occurred on Thursday, June 18, at a store located on Jalan Surya Raya in Kota Bekasi.

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Then the perpetrator, while pointing the pistol, herded the two cashiers to the safe room on the second floor.

During the robbery, ARM reportedly entered the minimarket alone, wearing a hat and mask. He approached the cashier, produced an object resembling a pistol from his clothing, and threatened the employees. He then demanded to be shown the location of the store's safe.

According to police reports, ARM forced two employees to accompany him to the second-floor safe room. He compelled one employee to place approximately Rp11,600,000 into a black plastic bag. After securing the cash, ARM left the employees locked in the safe room and proceeded to the first floor, where he stole an additional Rp500,000 from the cash register and some cigarettes before fleeing the scene.

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After that, the perpetrator left, leaving the two victims inside the safe room and locking it from the outside.

ARM was apprehended on Friday, June 19, in Cikarang Utara, Bekasi Regency. Police seized Rp3.9 million in cash, 14 packs of cigarettes, clothing, and the lighter that was shaped like a pistol and used as the weapon. The suspect faces charges under Article 479 of the Criminal Code for theft with violence.

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The weapon used by the perpetrator to threaten the victim turned out not to be a real firearm, but a gas lighter shaped like a pistol.