Motive Behind Civil Servant Teacher in Pangkalpinang Stealing Students' Phones and Laptops Revealed

PANGKALPINANG, KOMPAS.com - Police have uncovered the motive behind a theft committed by a civil servant teacher at SMK Negeri 1 Pangkalpinang, Bangka Belitung Islands.

"The suspect needed money for online gambling," said AKP Ogan Arif Imani, Head of the Criminal Investigation Unit of Pangkalpinang Police, to the media on Saturday (9/19/2026).

Ogan explained that the suspect was addicted to online gambling and planned to deposit money using funds obtained from stolen items.

However, before he could sell the stolen goods, the suspect was arrested by the Rapid Response Unit (URC) of Pangkalpinang Police.

"The suspect was secured along with evidence including a cellphone and a gaming laptop," Ogan stated.

The suspect, currently held at the Pangkalpinang Police detention center, is undergoing further questioning to uncover additional factors behind the crime.

Arrested While Still Wearing Official Uniform

The suspect, identified by initials AN (46), is an accounting teacher. He was apprehended by police on Tuesday (9/15/2026) in a teachers' lounge while still wearing his brown civil servant uniform.

Earlier, police had received reports that the suspect was allegedly stealing several items belonging to students when classrooms were empty.

Agus Sugiyarso, Head of Public Relations at Bangka Belitung Regional Police, said the suspect is a business administration vocational teacher.

He was detained after officers conducted an investigation following reports of two missing items belonging to students.

"The incidents occurred on Tuesday (9/8/2026) and Friday (9/11/2026) within the school premises," Agus said.

Total Losses of Rp 18.1 Million

The reported stolen items include an Infinix HOT 60 Pro cellphone and an Axioo Pongo 750 laptop, with total losses amounting to Rp 18.1 million.

One of the thefts happened while students were out practicing in the laboratory.

"After receiving the reports, the URC team moved quickly to investigate and identify the suspect, successfully making the arrest. The evidence was also recovered from the suspect," Agus added.

The suspect was unable to deny the charges when officers presented the evidence. His head hung low in front of several teachers who witnessed the arrest process.

He was then handcuffed and taken to Taman Sari Police Sector for initial questioning before being transferred to the Criminal Investigation Unit of Pangkalpinang Police for further investigation.