A 65-year-old parking attendant helped prevent the theft of Rp 3.6 billion belonging to a bank customer in Brebes Regency, Central Java, after catching a suspect in the act and alerting nearby residents.
The incident occurred on Jalan Ahmad Yani, Brebes, on Monday, 15 June 2026, shortly after the victim, Kliwon Alwawan, withdrew cash from a local BCA branch.
Police are currently searching for the perpetrators, who are suspected to be part of a group specialising in vehicle window-smashing thefts.
According to Kliwon, a resident of Kluwut Village in Bulakamba District, he became suspicious after noticing several motorcyclists following his vehicle shortly after leaving the bank.
Concerned for his safety, he decided to stop at a nearby BTN bank branch. While he entered the building, one of the suspects allegedly smashed the window of his black Mitsubishi Pajero Sport and took a plastic bag containing the cash that had been left inside the vehicle.
The theft was witnessed by Kusriyati, a parking attendant who was working nearby at the time.
“I saw someone break the car window and take the plastic bag from inside. I immediately shouted, ‘Thief, thief, thief,'” Kusriyati said, as quoted by Kompas.com on Monday.
Her calls for help quickly drew the attention of residents and people in the surrounding area. Faced with the growing crowd, the suspect abandoned the theft and fled the scene on a motorcycle.
During the escape, some of the cash reportedly fell onto the road before being recovered.
Residents Help Prevent Suspects’ Escape
Another parking attendant, Jari, said he had noticed suspicious behaviour before the incident took place.
He recalled seeing a man on a white Honda Vario motorcycle lingering near the location and decided to question him.
“I asked who he was waiting for, sir. But before I could answer, he immediately fled after hearing the residents shouting ‘thief’,” Jari said.
Hearing the commotion outside, Kliwon rushed out of the bank and discovered that the window of his vehicle had been shattered. He also found banknotes scattered across the road.
The victim immediately checked and recounted the money to ensure nothing had been taken.
“I immediately checked and counted the money. Thank God, Rp 3.6 billion was still intact, the amount I withdrew from the bank,” Kliwon explained.
Police Continue Investigation
Officers from the Brebes Police Criminal Investigation Unit’s Rapid Response Unit (URC) arrived at the scene shortly after the incident. Investigators examined the crime scene and interviewed witnesses as part of the ongoing investigation.
Police are now pursuing the suspects and gathering CCTV footage from the surrounding area to identify those involved.
Following the incident, Kusriyati received a reward of Rp100,000 from the owner of the money. However, she chose to share the amount with three other people who assisted in preventing the theft.
“I was given Rp 100,000, divided into four. Farid, Wawan, Udin, and me,” Kusriyati said, as quoted by Kompas.com on 17 June 2026.
The investigation remains ongoing as authorities work to trace the suspects and determine whether they are linked to similar theft cases in the region.
