Police Grapple with Manhole-Cover Thieves of Mampang Underpass

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - The police were still investigating the theft of manhole-covers along Mampang-Kuningan Underpass, South Jakarta. Mampang Sector Police Chief Comr. Tri Harjadi said the surveillance cameras or closed circuit television (CCTV) at the area was inactive thus the police was hampered to probe the perpetrators.

"The CCTV is damaged," Tri told Tempo via a phone call on Saturday night, August 25. Tri suspected the stealing took place around 4 to 5 am and the manhole-cover was taken away to a remote area using four-wheeled vehicles. "Because the iron is quite heavy," he added.

The theft occurred again in the Mampang-Kuningan underpass on Wednesday, August 22. The manhole-cover was stolen in two spots, namely in the lane towards Mampang and Kuningan. Road signs were installed to cover the uncovered hole as to prevent the traffic accident.

The first stealing occurred at the end of May 2018 when manhole-covers in 25 locations along the underpass were taken and carried away. The project contractor, Adhi Karya, then replaced it with the new ones.

The covers were also welded to prevent further theft but it did not even last for a month. The second theft was carried out in nine locations in the opposite lane, towards Kuningan.

The police, until now, have not succeeded yet in arresting the thief of manhole-covers along Mampang-Kuningan Underpass. Tri said his officers did not stop the investigation of the first and second theft cases which was under Mampang Police along with the South Jakarta Resort Police.

LANI DIANA WIJAYA