2 Australian Tourist Pickpockets In Kuta Bali Arrested

ILLUSTRATION OF DOK VOI

The Kuta Sector Police, Badung, arrested two perpetrators of pickpocketing goods belonging to a foreign tourist from Australia in Kuta, Bali.

Head of the Kuta Police, Kompol Agus Riwayanto Diputra, said the perpetrators with the initials DUS (43) and AL (44) were arrested on Tuesday (7/10) night around Jalan Gunung Salak, West Denpasar, after an in-depth investigation was carried out by the Kuta Police Criminal Investigation Team.

The actions of the two men were caught on surveillance cameras or CCTV at the crime scene (TKP).

Agus Riwayanto explained that the disclosure of this case began with a report by an Australian tourist named Damian Troy Rowe (46) who lost a wallet containing around Rp. 20 million in cash while in front of a supermarket, Jalan Benesari, Kuta, Monday (6/10) in the early hours of the morning.

"The two perpetrators pretended to ask the victim for cigarettes, then one of the perpetrators took the opportunity to take the wallet from the victim's pocket. From the results of the investigation and field information, our team managed to identify the whereabouts of the perpetrators and make arrests without a fight," he said, Wednesday, October 8.

From the hands of the perpetrators, the police secured a number of evidences in the form of Rp2.6 million in cash, an online motorcycle jacket, a black t-shirt, a brown hat, and a red Yamaha Mio Soul motorcycle used by the perpetrators in the crime.

From the results of the initial examination, the two perpetrators admitted that they had carried out similar actions several times in the Seminyak and Padma areas, with the same mode of targeting foreign tourists who were careless.

"Both admitted that the proceeds of crime were used for daily needs and family medical expenses. However, investigators are still investigating to reveal the possibility of other networks," he said.

Currently, the two perpetrators and evidence have been secured at the Kuta Police Headquarters to undergo further investigation.

The Kuta Police also appealed to the public, especially tourists, to always be vigilant and not to bring large amounts of cash while traveling.

"We will continue to improve patrols and the presence of police at points prone to crime in tourist areas. Kuta must remain safe and comfortable for all," added Agus Riwayanto.