Police Arrest Suspected Machete-Wielding Thief in Jakarta’s Sudirman Area

A man identified by the initials SP was detained after he allegedly tried to take a resident’s belongings in Jakarta’s Sudirman area on Friday night.

The victim, identified as HV, had been resting outside the WTC Sudirman building when he woke up and felt someone opening his backpack. After confronting the man, HV said the suspect pulled out a machete and pointed it at him.

The victim called for help, and residents and motorcycle-taxi drivers in the area restrained the man. Two traffic police officers later received information about the incident while stationed near Atma Jaya University in Semanggi. They went to the security post at Sampoerna Strategic and secured SP and the machete.

SP and HV were taken to the Jakarta Metro Police criminal investigations unit for further processing. Police said they are still reconstructing what happened, taking statements and examining the seized evidence. The Jakarta Metro Police urged people to remain alert to their belongings in public places and to contact police emergency line 110 if they encounter a crime or a potentially dangerous situation.