Banjarmasin Police Arrest House Fire Suspect with Molotov, Motive is Heartbroken

ILLUSTRATION BETWEEN

BANJARMASIN - The Banjarmasin Police, South Kalimantan (Kalsel), revealed a case of burning a house using a molotov bomb in a densely populated area of the Pasar Lama Laut street, Central Banjarmasin District.

Head of Criminal Investigation Unit of Banjarmasin Police, Kompol Eru Alsepa, said his party arrested the suspect in the burning of SR's house in less than 24 hours.

"We immediately formed a joint team to investigate and pursue the perpetrators," he said, quoted by ANTARA, Tuesday, February 24.

According to him, based on the suspect's statement, the burning was carried out by throwing a glass bottle containing oil in a lit condition and had made the wall of SR's house burn.

"Fortunately, the fire did not spread because the surrounding residents immediately helped put it out," said Eru.

Based on the report of the residents, the Polresta team moved quickly to form a joint team to investigate and pursue the perpetrators of the arson to prevent similar events from being repeated.

"This is a prominent incident that has the potential to endanger the community," he said.

Not long after, the joint team of Opsnal Macan Resta, supported by the Subdit II Krimum Resmob Unit of the South Kalimantan Police, on Tuesday (24/2) early morning managed to arrest the suspect with the initials ZA, a resident of Kuin Cerucuk Village, West Banjarmasin District.

Based on the suspect's statement, the suicidal act was motivated by the perpetrator's heart against his ex-wife's family.

"The motive is personal revenge, but this action is very dangerous because it is carried out in a densely populated residential area," he said.

During the incident, witnesses who were inside the house heard the sound of an explosion, then saw the victim's house wall was on fire before the surrounding residents helped put out the fire.

From the results of processing the crime scene, the police found a number of evidence in the form of broken glass bottles containing kerosene, a cloth suspected of being a burning wick, and surveillance camera footage leading to the perpetrator.

The area where the incident occurred was known to be dominated by wooden buildings with very close distances between houses so that it was at high risk if the fire had grown.

For his actions, ZA was taken to Banjarmasin Police to undergo further investigation. He is suspected of committing the crime of arson using molotov as stated in Article 308 of the Criminal Code.

"The maximum penalty is 15 years in prison, and we will complete the legal process in accordance with applicable regulations," said Eru Alsepa.