Women across four different villages in Gianyar, Bali have been getting held up at knife point.
Muggers seem to be targeting women driving alone in Celuk, Sukawati, Batubulan, and Guwang villages according to local newspaper Tribun Bali.
The most recent incident occurred in Guwang on Friday morning. The mugger crashed the motorbike of his target, causing her to fall, then pointed his weapon at her, demanding she hand over her valuables, reports said.
The weapon apparently hasn’t been the same for each crime and at times has been a machete or a knife.
The muggings usually occur very early in the morning, around 3 am—the victims are usually older women shopping at the Sukawati pasar (traditional market).
From the description of some of the victims, the perpetrators’ (not clear if it’s always the same man) mouth smelled of alcohol.
Sukawati Police Chief Wayan Wisnawa said police are aware of the string of incidents.
“We have not yet received a report. But we have also heard this information and have gone down to find out the truth,” Wisnawa said, adding that victims have been reluctant to report the crimes because they are still traumatized.
“This should not be allowed to drag on. We will uncover this criminal. This issue is the price of safety in Sukawati.”
Police will be intensifying patrols in the area during early morning, the police chief added.
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