Bromo Tourist Suitcase Thief Gang Arrested by Police

Probolinggo Police Chief AKBP M. Wahyudin Latif/ANTARA HO Police

Probolinggo - The Probolinggo Police finally arrested three thieves of a suitcase belonging to a foreign tourist from Thailand in the Bromo Mountain tourist area, Probolinggo Regency, East Java.

"The theft occurred in the parking area of the entrance to Wonotoro Village, the border with Ngadisari Village, Sukapura District, Probolinggo Regency," said Probolinggo Police Chief AKBP M. Wahyudin Latif as reported by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 24.

The victim was known as MKJ (54), a foreigner from Thailand who lost three bags and three suitcases while traveling on Mount Bromopada on February 15, 2026. As a result of the incident, the victim suffered a loss of Rp. 108,368,200.

The Police Chief said the modus operandi used by the group of perpetrators was to damage the key to the door of the Hiace car used by the victim, then take the items inside the vehicle.

"From the results of the investigation, the Probolinggo Police Criminal Investigation Unit managed to secure three suspects, namely AR (34), as the executor; ES (46) who played the role of the brain or mastermind of the theft; and NF (45) who also knew the planning and helped eliminate evidence," he said.

The suspect AR was arrested on February 21, 2026 in the Kedopok area, Probolinggo City. From the results of the interrogation, he admitted to committing theft at the order of ES.

The officers then secured ES and his wife, NF, at his home in the Pesona Graha Kencana Housing, Probolinggo City.

"From the disclosure, we also secured a number of evidence, including one unit of a Toyota Avanza Veloz car used during the action, the clothes used by the perpetrator, and the victim's suitcase which had been thrown into the river," he said.

As a result of his actions, AR was charged with Article 477 paragraph (1) letter f of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code with a maximum sentence of 7 years in prison, while ES and NF were charged with Article 20 letter c of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code for participating in the crime.

Latif explained that the disclosure of the case was the commitment of the Probolinggo Police in maintaining the security of tourist areas, especially international destinations such as Mount Bromo.

"We ensure that every report will be followed up professionally. The safety of tourists, both domestic and foreign, is our priority," he said.