Police Arrest Extortionist Who Worries Tourists Of Sukabumi Geopark

Police arrested 5 extortionists in the tourist area of Geopark Ciletuh, Sukabumi (PHOTO ILLUSTRATION / DOK. ANTARA)

SUKABUMI - The Sukabumi Police Team, West Java, arrested five residents who allegedly carried out illegal levies (extortion) on a number of tourists in the Unesco Global Geopark Ciletuh Palabuhanratu tourist attraction.

"We have arrested five extortionists and are currently under investigation to develop cases of alleged extortion against tourists," said Sukabumi Police Chief AKBP Lukman Syarif as quoted by Antara, Sunday, January 3.

The five residents suspected of extortion against tourists are Bo (33), To (32), En (57) and An (36) who are residents of Ciwarugirang Village, Sukabumi.

Another person with the initials Su (41), a resident of Gunungbutak Village. The perpetrators work as motorbike taxi pullers, fishermen and entrepreneurs.

The mode carried out by the perpetrator is collecting money from tourists by asking for parking fees targeting vehicles that are going to enter the tourist attraction area.

When arrested, these five actors were unable to show redemption tickets and it is certain that the money requested from the tourists is extortion.

To the officers, the perpetrators of this extortion claimed not to force them when asking tourists for money. However, these charges are very unsettling for tourists.

"The money from the extortion is then distributed for personal gain. As for the evidence of this extortion case, the total money is Rp. 133 thousand," said AKBP Lukman.

Lukman appealed to residents if they become victims of extortion or other crimes to report to the closest security officer. The police emphasized that anyone who violates the rules, worries and commits a crime will be dealt with firmly in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations.