Penukal Abab Lematang Ilir (PALI) – A 19-year-old youth identified by the initials DAS was apprehended by police after stealing from four mosque charity boxes in Talang Ubi District. The stolen funds were allegedly used to purchase glue for inhalation and traditional alcoholic beverages.
The arrest was made by the Criminal Investigation Unit of Talang Ubi Police on Monday night, December 9, 2024, at 9:00 PM, at DAS’s residence in Talang Nanas Village, Talang Ubi District. The operation followed a report from a caretaker of Al Muchlisin Mosque in Komperta Pendopo earlier that morning regarding two missing charity boxes.
“We received a report from the mosque’s caretaker about the missing charity boxes. Based on CCTV footage from the mosque, the suspect’s actions were clearly recorded. This evidence enabled us to quickly apprehend the suspect at his residence later that evening,” stated Talang Ubi Police Chief Investigator Ipda Jan Harianto Sihombing on Friday, December 13, 2024.
The CCTV footage captured DAS committing the theft at 5:00 AM. Acting alone, the suspect used a sarong to cover the charity boxes he had stolen. His latest theft occurred at Al Muchlisin Mosque, which was discovered by the caretaker around 8:30 AM.
“In his confession, the suspect admitted that the stolen money was used to purchase glue for intoxication and to buy traditional alcoholic beverages like tuak,” Sihombing explained.
Police recovered two charity boxes, three cans of glue, a bottle of tuak, and a few leftover stolen cash bills from the suspect’s house as evidence.
“The suspect is being charged under Article 363 of the Indonesian Criminal Code for aggravated theft, carrying a maximum penalty of seven years in prison,” Sihombing concluded.
The case has drawn attention from local residents, as the crime involved exploiting religious facilities for personal vices. Authorities urge the public to remain vigilant about the security of public spaces and places of worship in their communities.