Two Algerian men were arrested over the weekend for stealing travelers’ belongings, including a laptop, an iPad, and a passport at the Ngurah Rai International Airport.
The two suspects are identified by their initials HR, 49, and AHB, 28. The pair told the authorities that they were financially struggling and had to resort to the crime.
Airport Police chief Ida Ayu Wikarniti said in a press conference yesterday that the two men went to the airport last Friday pretending to browse tickets to fly home, only to later sneak into the international arrivals area to find their targets.
Dinda Karin, 33, had just arrived from Dubai at 10pm when she realized that her bag containing her mobile phone and clothes went missing.
Later, the two suspects also stole a passport belonging to Russian national Svitoslav S. Fomenko, 20, and a laptop and an iPad that belong to American national Leila Simone, 19.
In total, police said the three victims suffered IDR131,500,000 (US$8,508) in losses. It’s not yet known whether or not the items have been returned to the rightful owners.
“When the suspects committed their third act of theft (on Simone), we already had a report from [Dinda]. We checked the CCTV and everything was clear,” said Ida Ayu.
The two men were detained and police are still investigating whether this was their first offense.
Under Indonesian law, HR and AHB may be looking at seven years behind bars if proven guilty of theft.
