PERAN SATRESKRIM POLRESTA PADANG DALAM PEMULIHAN KERUGIAN KORBAN PENCURIAN KENDARAAN BERMOTOR

The return of evidence is regulated in Article 46 paragraph (1) of the Criminal Procedure Code, which states that confiscated objects are returned to the legal owner after the legal process is completed or is no longer needed. Recovery of victim losses is based on Law No. 13/2006 amended. Law No. 31/2014 concerning Protection of Witnesses and Victims Article 7A. Motor vehicle theft cases in Padang City have shown worrying in recent years. Based on data from the Padang Police, during the 2023–2025 period, around 206 case reports were recorded. This figure shows that motorcycle theft is a form of crime against property that has a direct impact on society. Research problems: (1) What is the role of the Padang Police Criminal Investigation Unit in recovering losses from victims of motor vehicle theft; and (2) What are the obstacles faced in implementing this recovery. This research uses a sociological juridical method. Primary data through interviews and observations. Secondary data are criminal statistics on motor vehicle theft at the Padang Police in 2023–2025. The data obtained were analyzed qualitatively. The research results concluded: (1) The Criminal Investigation Unit played a role in disclosing cases, securing evidence, and returning vehicles after verifying ownership and fulfilling the need for proof. (2) Investigators also conducted persuasive communication with victims to provide legal certainty and a sense of justice. The main obstacles included limited evidence and administrative procedural obstacles in returning vehicles to victims.