Palembang, KOTABARI.COM – The murder of a cooperative employee named Anton Eka Saputra has shocked the residents of Palembang. The victim’s body was found buried in concrete in an old pond behind the Maskarebet store, located in Talang Kelapa Village, Sukarami District.
Murder Motive Revealed
The motive behind the murder is suspected to be related to a debt dispute. Anton Eka Saputra reportedly refused the perpetrator’s request to borrow more money because the perpetrator had not yet repaid a previous debt of Rp 10 million. This refusal allegedly triggered the perpetrator’s anger, leading to the fatal attack.
Palembang Police Chief Kombes Pol Harryo Sugihartono explained, “From the information we gathered, the victim, a cooperative employee, intended to collect a Rp 10 million debt from the perpetrator. However, when confronted, the perpetrator did not have the money and wanted to borrow more, which the victim refused.”
Main Perpetrator and Accomplices
The main perpetrator, identified as PS (23), has been apprehended by the police. PS played a role in assisting the murder by hitting the victim with a metal bar. “One suspect has been arrested, and two more are still being pursued,” added Kombes Harryo.
Chronology of Events
A day before the victim’s disappearance, Anton was involved in a heated phone conversation, overheard by his wife. The next day, Anton went to collect the debt in Talang Kelapa and never returned. CCTV footage showed the victim arriving at the store on Saturday around 11:39 AM, providing a crucial lead in the investigation.
The family’s legal representative, Jasmadi SH, stated, “We obtained CCTV footage from a nearby hardware store showing the victim arriving at the store on Saturday. We handed this footage over to the police for further investigation.”
Discovery of the Victim’s Body
After a three-day search, the police discovered Anton’s body encased in concrete in the pond behind the store. Kombes Harryo mentioned, “Inside the store, there were bloodstains on the floor and a box cutter lying around. The pond was partly used to bury the victim’s body in concrete.”
Arrest and Investigation
PS was arrested in Batam, while two other suspects remain at large. “The murder appears to have been premeditated by the main suspect, Antoni (currently a fugitive),” said Kombes Harryo. Sukarami Police Chief Kompol M Ikang Ade Putra added, “The victim’s body was buried in concrete in a small pond behind the store.”
The case is still under investigation by the police to uncover all involved perpetrators and the complete motive behind this brutal murder.