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| Seven Arrested in Jakarta for Targeting and Robbing Empty Homes in Residential Neighborhoods. |
West Jakarta – Indonesian police have arrested seven suspects involved in a series of burglaries targeting unoccupied homes in the Kebon Jeruk area of West Jakarta. The suspects, identified by their initials W, P, M, SHS, S, PP, and AA, are believed to be part of a well-organized burglary ring.
According to West Jakarta Metro Police Chief, Commissioner Twedi Aditya Bennyahdi, the group operated by first identifying homes that appeared to be unoccupied. Their method involved placing small objects, such as strings or items, on the home’s gate to monitor if anyone removed them.
“If those items were still hanging or increased in number after a few days, it confirmed for the suspects that the house was vacant,” Twedi explained during a press conference on Thursday, July 3, 2025.
Once certain the house was empty, the burglars would either scale or damage the gate to gain access. Inside, they stole various valuable items such as electronics, jewelry, and cash. The stolen goods were then sold, and the profits were divided equally among the group.
Police Warn Public to Be Vigilant When Leaving Homes Unattended
Commissioner Twedi also issued a warning to the public, especially for those planning to leave their homes unattended for extended periods due to vacations or business trips.
“We strongly advise residents not to order or have packages delivered when their homes are empty. Uncollected packages can be a clear sign for criminals that no one is home,” he said.
He also recommended that homeowners coordinate with neighbors for mutual surveillance, install security cameras, and use automatic lighting systems to give the impression that someone is home.
