Police arrest career criminal while two underage accomplices receive restorative justice settlement.
A 30-year-old ex-convict in Batam lured two teenagers into a violent robbery, targeting three young victims on February 28, 2025. The teens were spared criminal charges under a restorative justice agreement, while the mastermind, Aries Saputra, was arrested and faces up to 12 years in prison.
A shocking case in Batam has raised concerns about juvenile delinquency after two teenagers were influenced by a repeat offender to commit a violent robbery. The incident, which occurred in Sagulung, targeted three teenage victims and resulted in injuries. While the minors were released after a restorative justice agreement, authorities have taken strict legal action against the adult suspect.
Underage Teens Manipulated into Crime
The two teenage perpetrators, identified as WA (14) and AA (17), were reportedly manipulated by Aries Saputra, a 30-year-old ex-convict with a history of violent crimes. According to Batu Aji Police Chief AKP Raden Bimo Dwi Lambang, the two underage suspects were school dropouts who fell into the wrong crowd.
On the night of February 28, 2025, WA and AA, along with Aries Saputra, targeted three teenage victims—PH (16), V (16), and R (16)—who were traveling on a Yamaha Mio M3 motorcycle. The victims were on their way from Kavling Dapur 12 to Kavling Seroja when the attackers forced them to stop.
According to police reports, the suspects surrounded the victims and demanded compliance under the threat of physical violence. Fearing for their safety, the teenagers had no choice but to follow the gang to a more secluded location on Jalan Bintang, Batu Aji.
Once there, the attackers forced the victims to surrender their belongings. The stolen items included a Yamaha Mio M3 motorcycle, an iPhone 7 belonging to PH, an Oppo phone from V, and a Redmi phone from R. The perpetrators fled the scene immediately after obtaining the valuables.
Police Investigation Leads to Arrests
Following a police report filed by the victims, Batu Aji Police launched a full-scale investigation. The breakthrough came when officers received a tip-off about the suspects’ whereabouts. On February 25, 2025, police raided a rented house in Bukit Senyum, Batu Ampar, where they arrested WA and AA.
A follow-up operation on January 30, 2025, resulted in the capture of Aries Saputra in Bambu Kuning, Batu Aji. During questioning, he admitted to leading the robbery and coercing the teenagers into participating.
Since WA and AA were minors, authorities opted for restorative justice in accordance with Indonesian juvenile law. A settlement was reached with the victims, allowing the teenagers to avoid imprisonment. However, Aries Saputra, as an adult and repeat offender, was charged under Article 365, Section 2 of the Indonesian Criminal Code, which carries a maximum penalty of 12 years in prison.
The case highlights growing concerns about youth involvement in crime, particularly under the influence of career criminals. While restorative justice provides a second chance for young offenders, it also raises questions about crime prevention and juvenile rehabilitation. For Batam’s residents and investors, incidents like these emphasize the need for stricter enforcement and community interventions to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
Sources: iNews Batam (2025), Tribata News (2025)
Keywords: Batam Robbery Case, Teen Offenders Released, Restorative Justice Decision, Ex-Convict Arrested, Batu Aji Police Investigation
