The Denpasar Police yesterday said that the man who allegedly stole a gun belonging to the chief of the Negara Police was a recidivist and had tried to sell the stolen weapon for IDR 500,000 (USD 35).
“He marketed the gun to a bunch of people, but claimed that it was an airsoft gun, for IDR 500,000. He sells ice on the side, but commits crime (of theft) whenever there’s a chance,” Police Superintendent Benny Pramono from the Denpasar Police said, as quoted by Kumparan.
Benny added that the man, who has been identified as Wayan Soma, had been arrested several times before including for stealing motor vehicles, helmets and clothing.
Police arrested Wayan on Monday at Denpasar’s Kreneng Market, where he allegedly planned to sell the stolen gun. The 45-year-old reportedly took bullets to his leg as he tried to resist arrest.
The gun itself was allegedly stolen on Aug. 3 from Police Deputy Commissioner I Ketut Maret, who is the chief of the Negara Subdistrict Police in Jembrana regency. He was at Pura Sakenan Hindu temple in Denpasar when he discovered that his car had been pried open and that his personal items were missing.
According to Maret, he left his gun in his personal vehicle when he went to worship at the temple and the weapon was stolen along with his wallet, identity card (KTP) and police officer card (KTA).
Under Indonesia’s Criminal Code, Wayan faces a maximum of seven years’ imprisonment.
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