KLUNGKUNG, DEWATA.NEWS – Police in Klungkung Regency have arrested two suspected snatch thieves believed to have targeted foreign tourists in several areas across Bali.
The suspects, identified by their initials IWG (29) and INB (26), are both residents of Karangasem Regency. Authorities say the pair carried out theft operations across multiple districts, including Klungkung, Karangasem, and Denpasar.
Klungkung Police Chief AKBP Mikael Hutabarat said the arrests were linked to a case reported by an Australian tourist who became a victim of theft along the Ida Bagus Mantra Bypass in Takmung Village in September 2025.
According to police, the victim, identified by the initials KARG, was riding along the road when the suspects approached on a motorcycle and forcibly snatched a gold necklace from the victim’s neck.
The stolen jewelry was estimated to be worth around IDR 32 million.
“Based on the investigation, we were able to identify the suspects and eventually carried out the arrests,” Hutabarat said on Monday (March 16).
Further investigation revealed that the suspects had conducted similar crimes in multiple locations across Bali.
“Both suspects were also involved in theft incidents in Karangasem and Denpasar. They moved between areas when committing their crimes, which means they were operating across several regencies,” Hutabarat explained.
Head of the Klungkung Police Criminal Investigation Unit, AKP Reno Chandra Wibowo, said foreign tourists were often targeted by the suspects.
According to investigators, the suspects believed tourists might be less likely to report the crimes because they usually have limited time staying in Bali.
“The suspects saw foreign tourists as an opportunity because visitors only stay in Bali for a limited time. They assumed the victims might not report the incidents,” Reno said.
Police also discovered that the stolen gold jewelry had been melted down in an attempt to disguise the evidence.
However, investigators were still able to secure related evidence during the arrest.
The suspects are now being charged under Article 365 of the Indonesian Criminal Code concerning theft with violence in conjunction with Article 479. If convicted, they face a maximum penalty of up to 12 years in prison.