Former Indonesian Army Soldier Involved in Cross-City Motorcycle Theft Arrested by Police

MEDAN, KOMPAS.com - The Resmob Team of the Satreskrim Polrestabes Medan police has arrested five individuals suspected of involvement in motorcycle thefts across several areas in North Sumatra.

One of those detained is Gandi (39), a resident of Geuceu Meunara Village, Jaya Baru District, Banda Aceh City, who is reportedly a former member of the Indonesian Army (TNI AD).

The police stated that Gandi was dismissed from the TNI for desertion lasting one month.

Head of the Resmob Unit at Satreskrim Polrestabes Medan, Police Inspector Ramadhani Bimo Setiadi, said Gandi was caught along with four others: Muhammad Teguh Fadilla, Jerry, Arjunaidi Siregar, and Afner Harahap.

"All the suspects detained played various roles, some as motorcycle thieves and others as receivers (fences)," Bimo said on Friday (18/9/2026).

Former TNI member due to desertion

Bimo confirmed that Gandi is indeed a former TNI member.

According to him, Gandi was discharged after deserting for one month.

"Yes, it’s true (former TNI), because of desertion lasting one month. The suspect along with his friend (Jerry) committed thefts in two locations in the Gaperta area," he explained.

The police said Gandi and Jerry were involved in multiple motorcycle thefts at various locations.

According to Gandi’s confession, one month prior he stole a Honda Vario in the Gaperta area.

Two months before, Gandi and Jerry stole a Honda Scoopy in the Flamboyan Raya area.

Three months ago, the pair stole a Honda Beat in Klumpang, Hamparan Perak District.

In the same month, they also stole a Honda Supra X in the Simpang Kampung Lalang area.

Operations extended to Tebingtinggi

The motorcycle thefts were not limited to Medan City.

According to Gandi, he and Jerry also committed thefts in Tebingtinggi City.

Within approximately one month in July 2026, they reportedly committed thefts five times.

The first theft was a Honda Beat in Rambutan District.

Next, they stole a Honda Vario near the Social Service office complex.

They also stole a Honda Vario at the Medan-Tebingtinggi junction.

Additionally, a Honda Beat was stolen from a multipurpose building.

They also took a Honda Vario in Galang, Serdang Bedagai Regency.

Police arrest five suspects

The case emerged following a report by Marganda Ritonga, who lost a Honda Vario motorbike with license plate BK 5670 AMB.

The theft occurred on Jalan PWS, Sei Putih Timur II Village, Medan Petisah District, on Tuesday (15/9/2026) at approximately 06:48 WIB.

CCTV footage showed two individuals taking the victim’s motorcycle.

After receiving the report, the Resmob Unit of Satreskrim Polrestabes Medan conducted investigations and identified the suspects.

On the same day around 16:10 WIB, the police arrested four suspects: Muhammad Teguh Fadilla, Jerry, Arjunaidi, and Gandi.

"The four suspects were detained near Gang Sereh, Helvetia Village, Labuhan Deli District. Upon interrogation, they admitted their involvement," he said.

Fences also apprehended

The police proceeded with further investigation. Around 17:10 WIB, the team detained Afner Harahap at Jalan Baud, Gang Tembaga, Helvetia Village, Labuhan Deli District, Deli Serdang Regency.

Afner was identified as acting as a receiver of stolen motorcycles.

Besides Gandi and Jerry, police also obtained confessions from Muhammad Teguh Fadilla regarding multiple thefts.

Teguh and Jerry admitted to stealing a motorcycle in Medan Petisah District on September 15, 2026.

Previously, they also confessed to stealing a Honda Beat in the USU Complex and a Honda CBR on Jalan Sei Serayu.

Jerry further admitted to stealing a Honda Beat at the Gaperta Health Center with Gandi three months prior.

A month later, the duo stole a Honda Beat at the Klambir V Gaperta Subdistrict Office.

A week before their arrest, they were also said to have stolen a Honda Genio in Helvetia.

The police are still investigating the individual involvement of each suspect in the motorcycle theft ring, including roles in stealing the vehicles and acting as fences.

This article was also published on Tribun-Medan.com under the title "Former TNI Member Arrested by Medan Polrestabes Resmob for Cross-City Motorcycle Theft, Here Are the Details".