Police Secure Three Thieves at the Mosque

East Java - The Pacitan Police Criminal Investigation Unit arrested three suspected perpetrators of mosque theft who were suspected of acting in several areas of Pacitan Regency, East Java.

The Pacitan Police Chief, AKBP Ayub Diponegoro Azhar, in Pacitan, Sunday, said the disclosure of the case began with a report of the loss of loudspeakers at the Al-Falah Mosque, Ketro Village, Kebonagung District, on May 16, 2026.

"Officers conducted an investigation based on the victim's report and CCTV footage until the perpetrators were finally secured in the Blitar Regency area," said Ayub.

The police have named two adult suspects with initials IM (25) and MRA (26). Meanwhile, another perpetrator is processed according to child justice provisions so that his identity is not published.

Based on the results of the initial investigation, the three perpetrators were suspected of departing from Blitar Regency with a number of equipment to commit theft.

They use rented vehicles and target mosques that are on the edge of the road and in a quiet condition.

The items targeted include charity boxes and mosque loudspeakers.

The police are also investigating the possibility of the perpetrators' actions being linked to other theft locations in the Pacitan area.

The adult suspects were charged with Article 477 paragraph (1) letter g in conjunction with Article 126 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code.

Meanwhile, the child perpetrator is processed in accordance with Law Number 11 of 2012 concerning the Juvenile Criminal Justice System.

"The maximum penalty is seven years in prison," said Ayub.

Meanwhile, the takmir of the Al-Falah Mosque stated that the theft was only known when the loudspeaker device did not work before the implementation of the Zuhur prayer.

After checking, a number of mixer devices were found missing with a total loss estimated at Rp3 million.