Police Arrest Rp. 467 Million ATM Burglars With Toothpick Trick

DOC ANTARA/Governor of DKI Jakarta Anies Baswedan

TASIKMALAYA - Police have arrested a gang of burglaries for automated teller machines (ATMs) that often operate in several provinces. The perpetrator was arrested in Tasikmalaya City, West Java with the amount of money that was successfully burglarized reaching Rp. 467 million.

"This is a network that carries out criminal acts in East Java, Central Java and West Java, one of which is in the City of Tasikmalaya," said the Head of the Tasikmalaya City Police, Grand Commissioner Adjutant Doni Hermawan during a press conference in Tasikmalaya, as quoted by Antara, Thursday, April 15.

The gang of burglars in the ATM numbered four people. Three people have been arrested, one more perpetrator is on the wanted list (DPO).

They, said the Police Chief, had carried out their actions several times in a number of cities, then it was revealed that they were in action in the City of Tasikmalaya.

"Finally, the ATM burglary was carried out in the Tasikmalaya City area," continued Grand Commissioner Adjutant Doni.

The gang acted by blocking the ATM card hole using a toothpick to block the victim's ATM card from pulled out.

After the action was successful, said the Police Chief, the perpetrator pretended to offer assistance to the victim whose ATM card could not come out.

"Then the suspect pretended to help, then quickly exchanged the original ATM with a fake and modified one," he said.

Grand Commissioner Adjutant Doni said that the perpetrators had different roles to play each time, some blocked the card, then peeked at the victim's ATM pin number, and others saw the situation around the ATM.

"There were also perpetrators who played a role in seeing the victim's ATM pins, other perpetrators were observing the situation," said the police chief.

Meanwhile, the money that the perpetrator managed to take reached Rp. 467 million, and was used for operational costs and also to meet daily needs, such as buying clothes and so on.

In addition to arresting the suspect, the police also secured evidence of dozens of ATM cards, a box of toothpicks, knives, clothes, and a car used by the perpetrators to carry out their crimes.

"The money that the perpetrator managed to get was used to shop for various items, the perpetrator also transferred the money to various other accounts," added Police Grand Commissioner Adjutant Doni.