Jakarta. Police on Sunday arrested three suspects over the theft of luxury batik fabrics valued at Rp 1.3 billion (about $77,000), which disappeared just before they were due to be showcased at Inacraft, Indonesia’s largest handicrafts fair.

The theft was captured on CCTV, showing the suspects taking several hand-drawn silk batik pieces created by artisan Rahmad Aminadi, one day before Inacraft 2026 opened at Jakarta Convention Center, Tanah Abang district police investigator Ikhsan Irianto said.

The stolen fabrics had been stored at the home of a man identified only as GR in Bekasi. Based on his statement, police tracked down and arrested three suspects at separate locations in Bekasi, including a woman identified as LD, who is GR’s wife.

During a raid at LD’s residence, officers were forced to break down the door after she refused to grant access, Ikhsan said. Police also found silk batik pieces already packaged and believed to be ready for shipment elsewhere.

Two other suspects were identified by the initials G and K. GR himself was confirmed not to have been involved in the theft.

“All three suspects have been arrested along with the evidence. We are still investigating their motive and the possibility of additional accomplices,” Ikhsan said.

He added that most of the stolen batik was recovered intact. Investigators are continuing to probe whether the theft was part of a wider network targeting high-value cultural goods.

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