February 11, 2026 | 05:18 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The Jakarta Metropolitan Police have arrested a gang responsible for stealing grounding cables at multiple gas stations owned by PT Shell Indonesia across Jakarta and its surrounding areas. The group successfully stole lightning grounding cables from 46 separate Shell gas stations.
Head of Engineering Mobility at PT Shell Indonesia, Kamil Afrizal, stated that the string of incidents has caused the company to incur losses reaching into the billions of rupiah. During a press conference at Polda Metro Jaya on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, he mentioned, "Currently, we are still estimating the losses, but it is believed to be around Rp800 million to Rp1 billion."
Sr. Comr. Iman Imanuddin, the Director of General Crime Investigation at the Jakarta Metropolitan Police, confirmed the arrest of seven individuals in connection with the case. The suspects are identified by the initials W, ANMS, MR, MAH, U, R, and JA. Iman noted that the perpetrators operated within two groups.
He explained that suspects W and ANMS initiated the theft of grounding cables at the Shell gas stations. "After several thefts, they split up and recruited other individuals to commit the thefts at different locations," Iman stated.
He further stated that the gang has been operating since November 2025, targeting Shell gas stations throughout the Greater Jakarta or Jabodetabek and Karawang areas. According to Iman, the suspects carried out their actions at night after the gas stations had closed.
Based on investigations, the perpetrators are former technicians with specific experience in installing and dismantling grounding cables.
In this case, the police seized various pieces of evidence, including pliers, a hacksaw, metal-cutting scissors, knives, and machetes used during the thefts. The police also confiscated rolls of black cables, the clothing worn during the crimes, and closed-circuit television (CCTV) footage from the scenes.
"We are charging the suspects under Article 477 of Law Number 1 of 2023 regarding the Criminal Code, which carries a penalty of seven to nine years in prison," Iman stated. He also mentioned that investigators are continuing to develop the case to explore the possibility of other networks and receivers of the stolen goods from the suspects.
Read: Indonesia to Bring Eight Oil and Gas Projects Onstream in 2026
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