Gong Thief Man At Pura Dalem Gegelang Bali Arrested By Police

BADUNG - The Mengwi Police Team, Badung, Bali, arrested I Wayan Sucamerta alias Tablet (33) who stole the gamelan or gong at Dalem Gegelang Temple, War Banjar, Lukluk Village.

The perpetrator could not move when he was arrested by the police on Monday, January 17th. The perpetrator is known to be a local resident.

"The perpetrators carried out the theft and sold the stolen goods and then used the proceeds to meet their daily needs," said Chief of the Mengwi Police, Kompol I Nyoman Darsana, Friday, January 21.

The disclosure of the theft case began with the report of the reporter I Made Risma (23) who was in charge of cleaning at the Dalem Gegelang Temple in November 2021.

The reporter had moved the gong to the Balai Wastra warehouse in the east of the temple area. Furthermore, on Sunday, January 2, the complainant issued a gamelan for the Piodalan ceremony at Pura Dalem Gegelang.

It turned out that one gong made of bronze, one Tungguh Gangsa and five reongs as well as binoculars had disappeared.

"Knowing that several gamelan devices have disappeared. Then the reporter reported it to the Mengwi Police," he added.

The police who received the report immediately launched an investigation. The perpetrator was arrested.

"Based on the results of the interrogation, the perpetrator admitted that he had committed the theft of gamelan devices which was carried out around the beginning of November 2021, which was carried out three times in one week intervals," he said.

The stolen goods were then sold to a shop for Rp. 3.3 million. The money from the sale is used by the perpetrators for necessities of life.

"Used by the perpetrators to meet the needs of daily life. In carrying out the theft of gamelan devices, the perpetrator did it alone and the perpetrator stole iron in a house project in the east of the temple in 2019," he said.