inp.polri.go.id - Jakarta. Police arrested a mechanic with the initials FF, suspected of specializing in the theft of Electronic Control Units (ECUs) and head units from trailer trucks in the Tanjung Priok Port area, North Jakarta.

The perpetrator was arrested after police conducted two months of surveillance and investigation into a series of ECU thefts that occurred 19 times in the port area.

"We conducted surveillance and investigation for two months to apprehend this perpetrator," said Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Tanjung Priok Port Sub-regional Police, Police Senior Inspector AA Ngurah Made Pandu Prabawa, in Jakarta on Monday (9/14/2026).

FF was arrested on Wednesday (9/26/2026) after officers investigated several reports of missing trailer truck ECUs.

The investigation revealed that the perpetrator confessed to being involved in 12 thefts. Police said FF was the sole perpetrator.

"The perpetrator admitted that he committed all 12 thefts. He works alone," said Pandu.

The stolen ECUs were then sold on marketplaces for prices ranging from IDR 1.7 million to IDR 3.5 million. However, the price of a new ECU is said to be between IDR 25 million and IDR 35 million.

Traces of the perpetrator's actions were also found on his cell phone. Police found several photos of the stolen ECUs, which they allegedly used to offer and sell online.

"This perpetrator committed these acts to meet his living expenses," he said.

The case came to light after reports of missing ECUs from several trailer trucks in the Tanjung Priok Port area. Of the 19 locations where the ECUs were stolen, eight official reports were filed to the police.

Officers then conducted an investigation and intensified patrols, especially during times considered prone to theft.

During the investigation, The police also worked together with the Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) of Pelindo Tanjung Priok Port to help monitor the perpetrator's movements in the port area.

"This perpetrator often carries out his actions during critical hours, namely between 2:00 a.m. and 4:00 a.m., and frequently enters the port area," he said.

After intensive monitoring, the police finally identified the perpetrator. FF was then arrested on Wednesday (8/26/2026).

For his actions, FF was charged under Article 477 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code concerning aggravated theft and Article 476 of the Criminal Code concerning ordinary theft.

"The perpetrator faces up to seven years in prison," said Pandu.

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