Two suspects, Didit Panggih Pamulihan (20) and Taufik Ilham (25), were arrested by the police following the robbery and murder of Candra Waskito (25), the owner of the Royal Phone cell phone counter in Ambarawa, according to statements from the authorities in August 2026. Following the attack, the suspects fled the scene, abandoned the victim’s body inside a car near a vacant warehouse in the Gubug area of Grobogan, and used a stolen iPhone 15 to pay for an online motorcycle taxi ride home.
Arrest Timeline and Digital Footprint Left by Suspects
According to Kasat Reskrim Polres Semarang, AKP Bodia Teja Lelana, the investigation broke wide open due to a digital trail left by the suspects after they abandoned the crime scene. Initially, Didit and Taufik fled on foot until they reached the Gubug intersection, where they hitched a ride with a witness to travel toward Kwaron.
Upon arriving in Kwaron, Didit used his personal phone to book a GoRide online motorcycle taxi to return to Ambarawa at approximately 7:30 a.m. Because the suspects lacked cash, they handed over an iPhone 15 stolen from the victim to pay for the ride. The driver subsequently sold that device at a phone counter for Rp 9.550.000, and police have since seized the phone as evidence.
Motive and Financial Pressures Behind the Attack
Investigators confirmed that the robbery and subsequent homicide stemmed from severe financial distress. AKP Bodia Teja Lelana stated that Didit carried a total debt spread across three institutions—including a loan from a government bank in Ambarawa, a loan from a private bank in Salatiga, and a loan from a private bank in Bawen—all of which had reached their due dates.
Knowing Taufik’s vulnerable economic background because of regular business interactions between their families, Didit recruited him for the robbery. The plan was originally simple: one would talk while the other pretended to buy, before grabbing a device and running away. However, panic set in when they realized their actions were nearly uncovered, leading Didit to strike the victim six times on the head with a hammer.
Did You Know? The suspects initially planned a simple snatch-and-run operation by having one person distract the victim in conversation while the other pretended to purchase a phone, but escalated the violence to a hammer attack when they panicked upon nearly being discovered.
Legal Consequences and Charges
Police arrested Didit in Semarang and Taufik in Ambarawa on August 7, 2026, following the incident that occurred on the-morning of August 6, 2026. Authorities also examined a female acquaintance of Didit, identified as V (20), but cleared her of any involvement after confirming her past interactions with the victim were limited to purchasing a gadget earlier in the year.
Both suspects now face serious charges under Article 479 paragraph 4 in conjunction with Article 458 paragraph 3 regarding aggravated theft resulting in death, committed jointly alongside murder. According to AKP Bodia Teja Lelana, the charges carry a maximum penalty of the death penalty, life imprisonment, or a fixed prison term of up to 20 years.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the suspects arrested by the police?
The police arrested two young men named Didit Panggih Pamulihan (20) and Taufik Ilham (25).
How did the suspects pay for their transportation after the crime?
According to police, the suspects paid their online motorcycle taxi driver with a stolen iPhone 15 because they did not have any cash.
What is the primary motive behind the crime?
Authorities confirmed that the motive was strictly economic, driven primarily by Didit’s overdue bank debts.
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