A 23-year-old Balinese man has been apprehended on suspicion of having stolen 21 motorbikes and selling them online so he could buy food and play slot machine games online, police said.
The Denpasar Police Chief Police Grand Commissioner Adjutant (AKBP) Bambang Yugo Pamungkas said today that the suspect, identified as IPPP, committed bike thefts in 21 different locations in Denpasar between January and March this year.
“[We have] seized eight stolen motorbikes. [We’re still] searching for the rest,” he said.
Police said they shot IPPP in the left leg for attempting to evade arrest. In a press briefing at the Denpasar Police Headquarters, IPPP, who wore a prison uniform with his hands handcuffed, said he taught himself how to make motorbike keys, which he used to steal the vehicles.
“[I used the money] to buy meals and play slot [machine] games. [I sold the stolen bikes] on Facebook,” said IPPP.
Each of the stolen motorbikes, according to the police, was sold for around IDR1.2 million to 1.5 million (US$85-100). Some of the stolen bikes include a Honda Scoopy (a popular bike of choice on the island), Yamaha Mio, and Kawasaki KLX.
IPPP was listed as a recidivist who had already served jail time in the past for assault.
Under Indonesian law, IPPP may serve seven years behind bars if proven guilty of bike theft.
