Police in Denpasar have arrested a 31-year-old man who sought to profit from the bike boom that has hit many parts of Indonesia by stealing 13 bicycles within a few days.
The suspect, identified by his initial S, was arrested following a report filed on Monday from one of his victims, EF, who alerted the West Denpasar sub-precinct upon realizing that his or her bike, which is usually parked at the porch of the house, was missing that morning.
Police investigation led them to S’ house, where authorities found a number of stolen bikes.
“He was motivated by economic problems,” Andi Muh Nurul Yaqin, head of West Denpasar sub-precinct’s criminal investigation unit, said.
According to reports, S was found to have stolen 13 bikes in total, some of which he had sold through online marketplaces with the help of another man, identified as 29-year-old HR, who has also been taken into police custody.
Police have yet to announce the criminal charges against S and HR. However, under Indonesia’s criminal code, theft is punishable by up to five years in prison.
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