JAMBI | INDATANEWS.COM - A snack theft at a 24-hour kiosk in the Bagan Pete area of Jambi occurred at around 5.28 am on Sunday, 11 October 2026. Two suspected thieves travelling on a motorbike allegedly grabbed the goods within seconds before fleeing towards the Bagan Pete petrol station.
The incident has heightened concerns among small business owners who keep their shops open around the clock. The suspects allegedly took advantage of the early morning hours, when the streets were still relatively quiet, to steal goods from the shop's sales area.
According to a shop assistant, one of the suspected thieves dismounted from the motorbike and snatched a large display unit containing packets of snacks from the front of the premises. The second man remained on the motorbike, apparently ready to facilitate their escape.
After taking the goods, the two suspects fled on the motorbike. Initial information indicated that they had come from the direction of Simpang Rimbo before heading towards the Bagan Pete petrol station.
Thieves Strike While Employee Stocks Shelves
Muklis, the kiosk employee, said he had been arranging stock when he heard a loud noise outside the shop. When he went to investigate, he discovered that a large display unit containing snacks had disappeared.
"While I was arranging the goods, I suddenly heard a loud noise outside the shop. When I went outside, a large display unit containing Ciki-Ciki snacks had already disappeared," Muklis said angrily.
He believed the suspects had acted so quickly that he had been unable to prevent the theft. He also suspected that the men had observed the situation outside the premises beforehand.
"It all happened very quickly. It looks as though the suspects had already targeted the shop," Muklis said.
He added that CCTV footage appeared to show two people wearing helmets and riding a black motorbike. However, the identities of the two suspected thieves remain unknown.
"It is unbelievable what is happening these days. The thieves just take everything. They are probably young men with nothing better to do. They strike at dawn," Muklis added.
His account highlights the concerns of shop staff over thefts targeting everyday retail goods. Although the exact value of the loss has yet to be established, the incident has caused unease because the suspects were able to take the goods and escape within a very short time.
The CCTV footage could help investigators establish the suspects' appearance, identify the vehicle used and trace their direction of escape. However, identifying those involved and determining responsibility will require further investigation by the police.
SCENE AT THE SNACK KIOSK: The kiosk where the theft reportedly took place within seconds while the employee was arranging stock. (PHOTO: Dalil Harahap)
Shop Owner Calls for More Frequent Police Patrols
Lia, the shop owner, expressed regret over the theft, which targeted a small business operating 24 hours a day. She believes incidents of this kind can increase anxiety among traders, particularly those serving customers during periods of heightened security risks with limited staff available.
Lia urged the police to take firm action against offenders and improve security in the residential and commercial area. In her view, more frequent patrols are particularly important in the early morning, when some businesses remain open while the streets are comparatively quiet.
"Crimes like these, committed by young men with nothing better to do, make small business owners who work around the clock feel unsafe. We hope the police will take firm action and improve public safety by increasing patrols throughout the day and night," Lia said.
Her appeal highlights the importance of a safe environment for small businesses. For shop owners, the issue is not only about protecting merchandise but also about safeguarding employees who work during hours when they may be particularly vulnerable.
Alongside more frequent police patrols, cooperation between residents, business owners and security authorities could help ensure that information about criminal activity is reported more quickly. Members of the public can report suspicious activity through official police reporting channels, allowing officers to follow up on the information in accordance with established procedures.
In the Bagan Pete case, details about the time of the incident, the motorbike's characteristics and the suspects' arrival and escape routes could provide initial leads for investigators. However, reliable information about the suspects' identities and the full sequence of events will depend on inquiries by the relevant authorities.
CALL FOR REGULAR POLICE PATROLS: Lia, the shop owner, hopes for more frequent police patrols and improved neighbourhood security to protect small businesses operating around the clock. (PHOTO: Dalil Harahap)
Hopes for a More Responsive Police Force Under New Leadership
Lia also expressed hope that the new leadership of the Indonesian National Police would help strengthen relations between the police and the public. She wants officers to respond more quickly and attentively to public complaints and take concrete steps to reduce crime, particularly offences affecting small business owners.
"With the new National Police Chief, we hope the police will become even closer to the public. We want crime to continue to decline and the police and the public to work together," Lia said.
Her remarks underline the importance of police work beyond responding to crimes after they have occurred. Preventive measures, including regular patrols, engagement with local residents and prompt responses to public reports, are equally important.
For businesses operating around the clock, a visible police presence in the early morning could strengthen residents' and traders' sense of security while helping officers remain alert to potential thefts. Support from local residents, including sharing relevant information and reporting suspicious incidents, could also help improve security across the commercial area.
At the time this report was completed, there had been no information about the arrest of the suspected thieves or an official police statement regarding the theft. The suspects' identities, the value of the loss and any subsequent investigative developments remain subject to confirmation by the relevant authorities.
The incident once again highlights the need for cooperation between residents, business owners and the police to maintain neighbourhood security. Residents hope the case will be resolved swiftly and that firm preventive measures will be introduced to deter further thefts and protect the livelihoods of small business owners in Bagan Pete, Jambi. (IDNC)
REPORTER: Dalil Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala