Clerk Addicted to Gambling Allegedly Took Thousands of Dollars from Mini-Market Safe

(AsiaGameHub) –   An Indonesian mini-market employee with a gambling addiction allegedly forced open the store’s safe and fled with 52 million Indonesian rupiah (more than $3,000), which police say he then gambled away on online casino sites.

According to reports from the Indonesian media outlet Liputan 6, the clerk managed to lose the entire stolen sum in a mere three hours.

Authorities in West Jakarta’s Jeruk district stated the incident gained widespread attention online after security camera video of the purported theft was shared across social media platforms.

Police reported that the accused was on overnight duty at the 24-hour convenience store on February 22.

Once CCTV recordings seemed to capture him entering a room on the second floor and opening a safe, the suspect fled.

This initiated a search lasting two months, which concluded when he was located at a hideout in the Kebayoran Lama residential area of South Jakarta.

Indonesian Lost Stolen Cash in 3 Hours

Officers stated the suspect offered no fight when they stormed the location on the afternoon of April 13.

Police said that after taking the money, the suspect “promptly transferred the funds into his private bank account via an ATM located inside the mini market.”

The owner of the mini market was not initially aware the money was missing. The theft was only discovered after the owner found inconsistencies between the register’s sales records and the actual cash on hand.

Following an extensive review of security footage, police were ultimately able to pinpoint the suspect.

Investigators revealed the man has confessed to the offense. He acknowledged he had developed an addiction to online gambling.

The individual now faces theft charges. A conviction could result in a prison term of up to seven years.

Gambling in all its forms is prohibited in Indonesia. A recent government campaign targeting online casino patrons has resulted in the freezing of bank accounts belonging to more than 33,000 citizens.