13-3-2024 (JAKArTA) A 67-year-old fisherman has been arrested for allegedly stealing gold decorations worth a staggering 3 billion Indonesian rupiah (S$256,940) from the dome of a local mosque. The incident, which took place on March 4th, has sent shockwaves through the tight-knit community of Kayeli Village, where the Al Huda Mosque stands as a symbol of pride and unity.
The fisherman, identified as Amin Gay, is accused of meticulously planning and executing the audacious heist, which saw him climb atop the mosque’s dome and pry off the precious gold ornaments that had adorned its surface for over a decade. According to Fandi Ashari Wael, the village head of Kayeli, the stolen loot, weighing a substantial 2.6 kilograms, was a product of an initiative spearheaded by local miners and villagers, who had collectively contributed to the mosque’s embellishment.
Among the stolen items was a gold sculpture bearing the Arabic word “Allah,” a sacred emblem that had become a source of immense pride for the community. Wael expressed deep anguish over the loss, stating that the decorations had stood as a symbol of unity and shared heritage for at least ten years.
In a race against time, Indonesian authorities swiftly launched an investigation, ultimately tracking down and apprehending the suspect in the neighboring Namlea Village on March 7th. Gay had attempted to flee the scene by speedboat after burying his ill-gotten gains in a nearby forest, but his efforts to evade justice proved futile.
During a press conference on March 11th, police presented the recovered gold decorations alongside the suspect, shedding light on the meticulous nature of his crime. According to reports, Gay had employed ladders and various tools to scale the mosque’s dome and dislodge the precious ornaments.
In a surprising twist, the fisherman confessed to the theft, citing mounting debt as the driving force behind his actions. His admission has sparked a wave of disbelief and outrage within the community, where the mosque serves as a sacred gathering place and a beacon of spiritual solace.
