Couple Ambushed by Armed Robbers on Jakarta Toll Road
A distressing incident occurred on Jakartan roads when a husband and wife duo (pasutri) were held up by a gang wielding sharp weapons while stuck in a traffic jam on the Tanjung Priok Access Toll Road in Jakarta Utara. One of the perpetrators, M Ali Sanda, has since been apprehended by police.
The event took place on Friday, March 1st, at around 6:40 PM local time (WIB). The victims, initially traveling in a pick-up truck with their initials IBA (52) and AR, were stopped in their tracks by the unexpected ambush.
Trapped in Traffic, Ambushed
As they waited in the queue to enter the toll gate, six armed assailants approached the couple, brandishing celurit knives. "Suddenly, while they were in their car, they were approached by around six unknown individuals carrying weapons," recounted Jakarta Utara Metro Police Chief Commissioner Ahmad Fuady in his statement on Saturday, March 2, 2025.
Stolen Phone, Assaulted Wife
One of the robbers, later identified as Ali Sanda, lunged at the vehicle, brandishing his knife and snatching the victim’s phone. Another assailant attempted to attack the woman, who was seated in the passenger seat. "He directly approached the victim’s car and brandished a knife, attempting to grab the phone and the victim’s bag, which was on the left side of the front passenger seat," he explained. "Another attacker tried to assault the victim’s wife from the left side of the car."
With their crime completed, the assailants fled the scene, leaving the couple startled and distressed. The husband suffered a minor injury to his finger in the attempt to fend off the attackers.
Police Swift Action, Main Suspect in Custody
In response to the incident, authorities swiftly moved to apprehend the culprits. M Ali Sanda was identified as the main suspect and is now in police custody at the Jakarta Utara Metro Police Station. He has been officially named a suspect in the case.
"Ali Sanda has been named as the main suspect," Commissioner Ahmad Fuady confirmed. "We are currently intensifying our investigations to track down the remaining perpetrators, namely Aji, Anggi, Tedi, Amat, also known as Acong, and Cipuy."
The police continue to urge the public to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activity. News of this violent ambush serves as a stark reminder of the importance of road safety and prompt law enforcement response.
