Claiming To Be Babinsa, A Man In Gowa Steals 30 Grams Of Gold And Cellphones, Shot By Police While Trying To Escape

Illustration - A number of motorcyclists passed in front of the Gowa Police Office, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi. BETWEEN/Darwin Fatir.

The Gowa Police Criminal Investigation Unit paralyzed a man with the initials K (41) who claimed to be a member of the TNI from the Village Development Officer Unit (Babinsa), after stealing 30 grams of gold and a cell phone belonging to a woman with the initials P (20).

Pelaku ditangkap di sebuah rumah di Jalan Rajawali, Kota Makassar, setelah polisi menerima laporan korban yang teregistrasi dengan nomor LP/B/444/IV/2025/SPKT/Polres Gowa/Polda Sulsel tergalgal 29 April 2025.

When he was about to be arrested, the perpetrator tried to run away and did not heed the warning shot. The police were forced to take firm and measured action by shooting him in the left leg.

"When arrested, the perpetrator did not heed warning shots and was about to run away. Members were forced to paralyze with firm action on the left leg," said Head of Jatanras Satreskrim Gowa Police, Ipda Iskandar in Gowa, Antara, Sunday, July 15.

The incident began when the perpetrator claimed to be Babinsa and took the victim and his family to the Armed Mappaodang Dormitory, Makassar. The perpetrators argued that they would be recorded as well as receive basic material assistance.

Without suspicion, the victim and his family followed the perpetrator's invitation. However, when he arrived at the location, the perpetrator returned to the victim's house under the pretext that his cellphone was left behind and ordered the victim's sister to buy an internet data package.

"When the house was empty, the perpetrator entered the victim's room, then stole gold jewelry weighing 30 grams and a cell phone. After that, he ran away," said Iskandar.

After the victim's sister returned and found out that the perpetrator was not there, he immediately contacted his brother who was still in the Armed Dormitory. They then went home and found valuables had disappeared. The victim immediately reported to the police.

From the results of the interrogation, the perpetrator admitted that he had sold stolen gold to two collectors with the initials B and S. He is also known to be a recidivist in a similar theft case in the Kuncio Village area, Somba Opu District, Gowa Regency, in 2023.

The evidence that was secured from the perpetrators included one unit of cellphone, motorcycle, helmet, and green parachute jacket worn in action.

Now, the perpetrator is charged with Article 363 of the Criminal Code regarding theft with weight. He faces a maximum sentence of seven years in prison.