Man Arrested in West Kalimantan for Stealing PLN Power Station Grounding Cables

A man has been arrested in Sekadau Regency, West Kalimantan, for allegedly breaking into five electricity substations operated by PT PLN (Persero) and stealing 10 grounding cables, also known as lightning arrestor cables. The suspect, identified by the initials JI, is 35 years old and allegedly committed the thefts to obtain approximately Rp 3.1 million. The Sekadau Police Criminal Investigation Unit (Satreskrim Polres Sekadau) uncovered the crime after receiving reports of missing grounding cables from substations in the Sekadau Regency. The investigation pointed towards JI, who was subsequently arrested at his residence in Beringkai Raya Village, Sekadau Hilir District, on Thursday (July 17, 2026), around 10:00 PM Western Indonesian Time (WIB). During a search of his home, police discovered equipment believed to have been used by the perpetrator during the commission of the crime. JI and the evidence were then taken to the Sekadau Police Headquarters for further examination, according to Kasat Reskrim Polres Sekadau Iptu Zainal Abidin. During questioning, JI confessed to carrying out the acts alone. He stated that he used a climbing harness to ascend the substation poles and then used cutting pliers to sever the grounding cables before rolling them up and selling them to a scrap metal dealer. "Based on the examination, the perpetrator admitted to climbing the electricity substation poles using a climbing harness, then cutting the grounding cables with pliers. The cables were subsequently sold to a scrap metal dealer," Zainal explained. Further investigation revealed that the theft was not confined to a single location. Police found that the perpetrator allegedly operated at five electricity substations: two substations on Jalan Poros Menawai, Belitang Hilir District, and one substation each on Jalan Poros Sungai Akar, Jalan Poros Simpang Empat Kayu Lapis, and Jalan Poros Simpang Empat Kayu Lapis Kilometer 13, Sekadau Hilir District. In total, 10 grounding cables are suspected to have been stolen by the perpetrator. From all his actions, JI reportedly obtained only around Rp 3,135,000 after selling the cables as scrap. "Overall, the perpetrator stole 10 grounding cables from five electricity substations with a total sales revenue of approximately Rp 3,135,000," he stated. Police also seized several pieces of evidence, including a climbing harness, cutting pliers, screwdrivers, wrenches, boots, and a mobile phone, which are believed to have been used during his criminal activities. According to Zainal, the theft of grounding cables is not just an ordinary act of theft. The absence of these components can reduce the effectiveness of the substation's protection system against lightning strikes and other electrical disturbances, thereby potentially disrupting the reliability of the electricity supply and endangering public safety. "Electricity facilities are vital assets that must be protected together. We urge the public to report immediately if they become aware of suspicious activities around substations or electrical installations," he emphasized. For his actions, JI is now detained at the Sekadau Police detention center and is being charged under Article 476 of the Criminal Code (KUHP). Police are still investigating the possibility of other individuals, including fences, being involved in the case. Information Source: Detik