Kuta Police showed off seven theft suspects–five of which are accused of muggings–in front of press on Monday.
The mugging suspects, identified by Tribun Bali as Balinese men I Nengah Kery, 32, I Komang Patkai, 16, I Wayan Ngongek aka Fendi, 19, I Putu Agus Andre, 27, I Made Mahendra Putra, 23, were all arrested in separate spots, but were allegedly working together according to police.
“They were all secured in different places,” said Kuta Police Chief I Nyoman Wirajaya, at a press conference at Kuta Police Headquarters on Monday.
The arrests stemmed from a report by Enjamin Fridnt, who reported a mugging on Sunset Road on Dec. 27 to Kuta Police. At around 11:30pm, the victim had been using his phone when two of the perpetrators, alleged as Kery and Patkai, came up on motorbike and snatched the victim’s phone.
Fridnt tried to pursue the perpetrators but was unsuccessful, police said.
After receiving the mugging report, a team lead by Insp. I Putu Budiartama combed the scene and managed to secure Kery as a suspect in his place of residence on Jl. Pemogan in Denpasar on Jan. 9.
After interrogating Kery, police say they were able to secure the other suspects.
According to Wirajaya, this particular instance of theft was not planned; it was about opportunity.
“Their actions were not scheduled. They acted in the moment. Their actions have disturbed residents and tourists,” Wirajaya said.
In the press conference, police said they had secured evidence in the form of three motorcycles, dozens of mobile phones, and cash of about IDR63 million (US$4,725).
