Inp.polri.go.id - Bandung.  West Java Regional Police arrested three suspects involved in stealing reserve railroad steel in Cikalong Wetan, West Bandung. The steel, meant for emergency rail repairs, was cut into 35 pieces, each 2.8 meters long, using a welding torch. 

“The total weight of the stolen steel amounted to 5.2 tons, causing PT KAI a loss of Rp 513 million,” said the West Java Police Head of Public Relations, Senior Superintendent Jules Abraham Abast, on Tuesday (15/10/2024)

The suspects transported the cut steel to a truck parked nearby, planning to sell it in Bekasi. 

Police began investigating after receiving reports on Friday. The suspects were not at the scene, but police tracked them down in Karawang, where they found the truck loaded with stolen steel, according to antaranews.com.

Authorities confiscated the truck, welding tools, and 35 steel rail pieces. The suspects face charges under Article 363 of the Criminal Code, carrying a maximum sentence of nine years in prison.

PT KAI spokesperson Ayep Hanapi noted that this was the second railroad theft in 2024, with a previous incident occurring on the Warung Bandrek–Cibatu line.

(mg/inp/pr/nm)