Residents of Sanggau Regency, West Kalimantan, were left in shock after a young man’s body was found stuffed inside a sack in a rented room. The horrifying discovery quickly drew public attention. Thanks to swift police action, the murder case was solved in less than 24 hours.
Kapuas Police Chief, Iptu Marianus, confirmed that the suspect had been successfully arrested by a joint team from Kapuas Police Sector and Sanggau Police.
“Yes, the suspect has been secured. The arrest took place in the Sengah Temila area, Landak Regency,” Marianus said on Friday, January 2, 2026.
Suspect Caught While Fleeing to His Hometown
The suspect, identified by the initials WF, 24 years old, was arrested in Gombang Hamlet, Gombang Village, Sengah Temila District, Landak Regency, at around 12:15 a.m.
WF was apprehended without resistance and immediately taken to Sanggau Police Headquarters for further investigation. The case is now being handled by the Criminal Investigation Unit of Sanggau Police.
Body Found in Boarding Room, Residents Panicked
The case surfaced after residents discovered a suspicious sack inside a boarding room located in Gang Bengkawan, Bujang Malaka Street, Beringin Subdistrict, Kapuas District, on Thursday afternoon, January 1, 2026.
When the sack was opened, it was found to contain the body of a young man. The victim was identified as M, 18 years old, originally from Meliau, Sanggau Regency. While living in Sanggau, the victim worked at a retail outlet.
The discovery was immediately reported to the police, who quickly conducted a crime scene investigation and intensive inquiries, leading to the suspect’s arrest.
Murder Triggered by Rp700,000 Debt Dispute
Police revealed that the motive behind the murder was a dispute over a relatively small amount of money that escalated into deadly violence. The suspect and the victim argued over a debt of Rp700,000.
“The motive was an argument related to a debt of seven hundred thousand rupiah,” Iptu Marianus explained.
The argument occurred on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, inside the boarding room where the victim was later found. Emotions ran high, and the situation quickly spiraled out of control.
Victim Strangled and Beaten
During the incident, the suspect placed the victim in a chokehold until he became helpless. The suspect then strangled the victim using a small rope and struck the victim’s head with his bare hands.
As a result of the violent assault, the victim died at the scene.
“The victim is believed to have died due to strangulation, combined with blows to the head,” Marianus stated.
Body Wrapped in Sack, Suspect Planned to Dispose of It
After realizing the victim had died, the suspect wrapped the body in a white sack. He initially planned to dispose of the body to eliminate evidence.
However, the plan was never carried out. The body was left inside the boarding room until it was discovered by the property owner and local residents.
Victim’s Motorcycle Pawned for Rp7.5 Million
Further investigation revealed that the suspect not only killed the victim but also took the victim’s motorcycle.
On the same day at around 6:00 p.m., the suspect fled using the victim’s black Honda Vario 125 motorcycle. The vehicle was later pawned in the Pal 6 area of Ngabang, Landak Regency, for Rp7,500,000.
The transaction was reportedly arranged through Facebook Messenger.
Police Urge Public to Remain Calm
Police have urged the public to remain calm and not to believe unverified rumors, including false claims that the suspect voluntarily turned himself in.
“The suspect was arrested by officers. He did not surrender voluntarily. We ask the public to wait for official investigation results,” Marianus emphasized.
The investigation is still ongoing as police work to complete the case file and uncover any additional facts related to the murder.
This tragic case serves as a harsh reminder that unresolved disputes, even over small debts, can lead to devastating consequences, costing lives and destroying futures.