Police Arrest Perpetrators Of Arema FC Bus Vandalism In Yogyakarta

YOGYAKARTA - Police arrested YS, the perpetrator of the vandalism of an Arema FC team bus parked in the courtyard of the New Saphir Hotel, Gondokusuman, Yogyakarta City, Wednesday, October 20 night.

The Gondokusuman Police Chief, Police Commissioner Surahman, said that the perpetrator with the initials YS (15) vandalized the Arema FC team bus with a group of people suspected of being Persebaya supporters.

"We have arrested only one person with the initials YS," said Surahman, quoted by Antara, Thursday, October 21.

The police, he said, were still investigating to find the other perpetrators. The perpetrators of the vandalism are estimated to be as many as 10 people, including YS who is a resident of Sidoarjo, East Java.

"We have dug up the identities of five people who were identified by the YS perpetrators," he said.

Police Commissioner Surahman explained that the bus vandalism incident occurred at around 22.45 western Indonesia time, Wednesday, October 20.

Based on YS's statement, he said, they previously walked from the east side of Laksda Adisutjipto Street to Malioboro, Yogyakarta City. On the way, they then saw a parked Arema FC bus.

"Passing the (New) Saphir Hotel, they see there is an Arema bus, finally carrying out the attack," he said.

As a result of the attack, the empty bus suffered damage to the windshield, top side, and mirrors. There were no casualties in that incident.

From the scene of the incident, the police seized a number of objects suspected of being used in the vandalism, including the perpetrator's black jumper, bricks, iron sticks, broken glass on the bus, and the Persebaya Xtreme flag.

Considering that the perpetrator is still a minor, further examination of YS will be carried out with the assistance of parents, the Social Service, and legal aid agencies, especially child protection.

However, Surahman emphasized that the perpetrators were still charged with Article 170 and Article 406 of the Criminal Code with a criminal penalty of up to five years in prison.

"We are still investigating the other perpetrators," he said.