A recidivist was apprehended over the weekend for robbing and molesting an English woman after offering the victim a ride as an ojek (motorcycle taxi) driver, authorities confirmed.
Denpasar Police Chief Bambang Yugo Pamungkas said that the victim, 20-year-old CMP, was walking from her hotel in Kuta toward La Favela nightclub in Seminyak on Oct. 1 at around 10pm when another ojek driver offered her a ride.
CMP reportedly turned him down because he asked for an IDR50,000 (US$3.2) fare, when such a short trip would cost only IDR15,000, or slightly less than US$1, via ridesharing apps.
The suspect, 29-year-old MS, overheard the conversation and offered CMP a ride for the app-based fare, which she agreed to.
“During the ride to La Favela, the victim noticed on her Google Maps that the suspect was driving randomly,” said Yugo.
When CMP pointed out that MS took the wrong way, he immediately sped up and took her to an empty lot in Dewi Sri, Kuta.
“The suspect pushed her until she fell down and proceeded to [sexually] assault her,” Yugo added, adding that MS stopped after CMP yelled for help. He did, however, manage to snatch her necklace.
The authorities tracked MS down to his rented room in West Denpasar and arrested him on Friday. Police said they shot him in the leg for resisting arrest.
Police confirmed that MS, who had been jailed before for theft, was not registered as a driver with any rideshare apps and that he would pick his targets randomly.
Under Indonesian law, MS may face nine years behind bars if proven guilty for assault and robbery.
