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Four suspects detained over a series of minimarket robberies appear to have given away half their takings to needy strangers, according to the police.

The three men and one woman, arrested on Monday in three separate raids in Central Jakarta, are said to have told the story to the police to explain why only Rp 16.8 million ($1,900) was recovered during their arrests.

“There has been a unique development in the minimarket robberies case,” said Sr. Comr. Rikwanto of the Jakarta Police.

“After stealing Rp 30 million from a minimarket in the Cilandak [South Jakarta] area, the perpetrators shared their loot,” he said. “The cashier got 5 million, a nearby ojek [motorcycle taxi] driver got 5 million and a beggar was handed 5 million.”

Rikwanto said it appeared to have been a spontaneous act by the suspects, who did not know the beneficiaries of their largess.

“The cashier did not have a relationship with the thieves,” the officer said. “They simply decided to give away the money.”

Officers tracked down the cashier and found her in possession of the money, though she was not detained.

“Police have already recovered the money that was given to the cashier and are holding it as evidence,” Rikwanto said. “We are still looking for the ojek driver and the beggar.”

More details are emerging as the police question the suspects and interview witnesses. They are still trying to determine the exact number of holdups carried out by the suspected band of thieves during their spree, which the suspects have said started in November.

“Based on their admissions, the number of crime scenes has expanded to 10 from the previous nine,” Rikwanto said.

“Now we are focusing on our pursuit of the remaining member of the group, a woman with the initial I.”

According to the police, this unusual band of thieves used non-lethal Airsoft guns to commit the holdups. The recreational guns, found in the possession of the suspects during their arrests, are often made to closely resemble real assault weapons.

According to the police, all four of the suspects — identified only as P.A.T., T.A., R.A.P. and M.A. — are drug users aged 21 to 23.

Police have also said the group did not have an elaborate strategy in the robberies. They simply milled around the stores until they were not busy and then burst in with the guns drawn.

In addition to Rp 16.8 million and two motorcycles, the police also seized four mobile phones, two wallets and a bag from the four suspects.

Minimarkets are a booming business in Jakarta, with 1,186 recorded as operating in 2011. The recent spate of minimarket robberies has prompted the police to advise shop owners to increase security and install CCTV cameras.