2 Fugitives In Jember Murder Case Arrested In Bali After Fleeing For 9 Years

SPECIAL DOC PHOTO/Release of the arrest of a fugitive in a sadistic murder case in Jember

JEMBER – The Criminal Investigation Unit of the Jember Police, East Java arrested ARH (33) and MR (30). The two suspects have been on the run for 9 years.

Both of them are perpetrators of the sadistic murder of Galau Wahyu Utama (18), a student majoring in English Education at FKIP Unej from Nangkaan village, Bondowoso.

The murder took place on February 26, 2013. The victim was killed and then to eliminate traces, the victim's body was burned in an unfinished building on M. Yamin Street, Tegal Besar Jember.

The victim was first discovered by residents while looking for snails. Upon this finding, the residents immediately reported the case to the Kaliwates Police Headquarters.

Jember Police Chief, AKBP Herry Purnomo, said the two perpetrators were originally from Jember. The two were arrested at their hiding place on Monday 21 February in Bali.

"We managed to secure the perpetrator in his hiding place on the island of Bali. Where the perpetrator has been in Bali since 2015 and while in Bali, the perpetrator worked as a massage therapist", said Police Chief AKBP Herry, Thursday, February 24.

The police chief said the motive behind the murder was because the suspect was trying to take the victim's car.

The disclosure of this case, continued by the Police Chief, was complicated because at the time of the incident it was difficult to find witnesses and some evidence at the scene. This case was only revealed after the police found new evidence.

"We had difficulties because at the time of the incident there were no witnesses. Meanwhile, the victim's vehicle which was brought by the perpetrator was also unknown, so that yesterday there was new evidence and the presence of the victim's car was detected, we immediately arrested the perpetrator", said Harry.

The perpetrator was charged with Article 340 of the Criminal Code, subsidiary to Article 339 of the Criminal Code and 365 paragraph 4 of the Criminal Code with a threat of life imprisonment or 20 years in prison.

"Our perpetrators are snared under articles 340, 339, and 365, the threat is life imprisonment", said AKBP Herry.