BATAM | INDATANEWS.COM ~ The Lubuk Baja Police, in collaboration with a specialized team from the Serious Crimes Unit (Jatanras) of the Kepri Regional Police (Polda Kepri), has successfully solved an arson case that occurred in a dormitory complex in the Wijaya Kusuma area, Lubuk Baja, Batam.
The incident, which took place on the night of April 18, 2026, drew significant public attention due to its high potential risk to public safety.
Arson Incident Causes Significant Property Damage
Read Also: Sekupang Police Arrest Motorcycle Thief in Batam After Swift Investigation The fire broke out early on April 16 when 22-year-old M.M. was in his room on the fourth floor of the dormitory. He was suddenly awakened by a friend, who informed him that his motorcycle, parked in the dormitory parking area, was on fire. When M.M. rushed downstairs to investigate, he discovered that not only his own motorcycle but also three others belonging to witnesses DFS (29), ES (31), and JA (24) were engulfed in flames. The fire caused substantial property damage to the affected parties.
POLICE ARREST SUSPECT: A joint team from the Riau Islands Police and Lubuk Baja Police successfully arrested suspect RPG (26) at Puri Mas Housing Complex, Batam, without resistance after conducting intensive investigation. (PHOTO: Doc. Lubuk Baja Police)
Quick Police Response Leads to Arrest of Suspect
Immediately after receiving the report on April 16, 2026, the Lubuk Baja Criminal Investigation Unit launched an on-site investigation. Surveillance camera footage was retrieved, showing a man who was later identified as the primary suspect in the arson case. Based on these video recordings, the joint team from
Polda Kepri and the
Lubuk Baja Police traced the suspect to a room in the Puri Mas complex in Batam.
The team conducted a targeted operation and was able to arrest the 26-year-old RPG at around 8:00 PM on Thursday evening, without resistance. After being shown the surveillance footage, RPG confessed to his involvement in the arson.
SEIZED EVIDENCE: Officers display evidence seized from the fire site. (PHOTO: Doc.
Lubuk Baja Police)
Legal Actions and Ongoing InvestigationsLubuk Baja Police Chief, Kompol Deni Langie, highlighted that the swift resolution of this case was made possible by excellent collaboration between the police and public support. He urged the community to remain vigilant and immediately report any suspicious incidents to allow for a quick response from authorities.
"We will take all necessary actions to ensure public safety and deal with such incidents to the fullest extent of the law," said Kompol Deni.
The suspect and the seized evidence, including the burned motorcycles, were brought to the Lubuk Baja Police Station for further investigation. RPG faces up to nine years in prison under Article 308, Paragraph 1 of the Indonesian Penal Code (KUHP), Law No. 1/2023.
The investigation continues as the authorities work to resolve the case and ensure that legal proceedings are carried out in a transparent and thorough manner.
(IDNC)REPORTER: Dalil Harahap | EDITOR: Fik Sagala