GPS Tracking Leads Police to Thief: Medan Area Police Arrest Suspect in Student Phone Theft Case

AHMAD ZULFIKAR SAGALA - Wednesday, 24 June 2026 18:00
PHOTO: Doc. Medan Area Police
SECURE THE PERPETRATOR: Police officers arrest Hermansah Tagam Yusti Maruli Siahaan after tracing three stolen mobile phones belonging to a student using GPS technology to Jalan Mangkubumi.

MEDAN | INDATANEWS.COM - The Medan Area Police have successfully solved a theft case involving three mobile phones belonging to a student after tracking the location of the stolen devices using the Global Positioning System (GPS). During the investigation, an unemployed man identified as Hermansah Tagam Yusti Maruli Siahaan (28), a resident of Jalan Juanda, Kelurahan Kampung Aur, Medan Kota District, was arrested.

The case was reported by the victim, Fatahillah (32), a student living at Jalan Utama, Gang H Syukur, Kelurahan Kota Matsum II, Medan Area District. He reported the loss of three mobile phones that had disappeared from his residence.

According to information obtained on Wednesday, June 24, 2026, the incident occurred on Sunday, June 21, 2026. At that time, the student had placed his mobile phones in the living room for charging before falling asleep.

Sudden Disappearance in the Residence

Some time later, he was awakened by his sister, who informed him that the mobile phones previously placed in the living room had gone missing. Despite conducting a search around the house, the victim was unable to locate the devices and subsequently reported the incident to the police.

GPS Technology Becomes Key Breakthrough

The investigation was handled by the Criminal Investigation Unit under the supervision of lead investigator Iptu Khairul Fazri Lubis, S.H. In addition to conventional questioning methods, officers actively utilized the GPS feature embedded in one of the stolen devices.

The tracking signal initially pointed to a location on Jalan Aksara in Medan. However, upon arrival, officers discovered that the signal had moved toward Jalan Perintis Kemerdekaan, prompting them to continue following the digital trail.

Eventually, the GPS signal stopped at Jalan Mangkubumi, where officers identified and arrested a suspect without resistance.

Pawned for IDR 100,000

Muhammad Ainul Yaqin, Head of the Medan Area Police Station, together with Iptu Khairul Fazri Lubis, stated that the perpetrator did not keep the stolen phones but instead pawned them.

"The mobile phones were pawned by the suspect for IDR 100,000," Muhammad Ainul Yaqin said.

The amount is significantly below the actual value of the devices. However, the victim still suffered considerable financial loss. Police are currently investigating the whereabouts of the pawned phones and examining the possibility of additional individuals being involved.

Three Mobile Phones Stolen, Investigation Ongoing

According to police records, the stolen items included one KOMON 40 in metallic color, one VIVO Y28 in cream, and one JOT 60 Pro in black. The total loss is estimated to reach several million rupiah.

Investigators continue to follow all leads and are also examining whether the suspect may be linked to other criminal cases within the jurisdiction of the Medan Area Police.

The suspect has been placed in detention and is facing potential imprisonment of up to seven years under applicable criminal law.

"The suspect is being intensively questioned to uncover possible additional crime scenes and related actions," police stated.

The investigation remains ongoing while the suspect remains in custody. (IDNC)

REPORTER: Jhonson Siahaan | EDITOR: Fik Sagala


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