GIANYAR, DEWATA.NEWS – Police in Gianyar have dismantled a villa theft ring operating in the Ubud area after arresting a repeat offender accused of targeting tourist accommodations in Kedewatan village.
A joint team from the Criminal Investigation Unit of Ubud Police and Gianyar Police detained a 52-year-old man identified by the initials GEDE SPM in the early hours of Saturday, January 24, 2026.
Ubud Police Chief I Wayan Putra Antara confirmed that the arrest followed three theft reports filed on January 17, 2026. The incidents occurred at separate villa properties in Kedewatan, an area popular with foreign visitors.
According to police findings, the suspect allegedly exploited moments when villa occupants were away, entering rooms unnoticed. The crimes were reported at Bliss Ubud Spa Resort, Villa Daisy, and Villa Edelweis. At one location, the suspect is accused of forcibly breaking into a safety deposit box to steal valuables.
Police seized multiple items believed to be proceeds of the thefts, including gold jewelry and foreign currencies such as US dollars, euros, Turkish lira, Swiss francs, and Chinese yuan.
“The suspect has been secured at Ubud Police Station. We are still conducting further investigation to determine whether there are additional crime scenes that have not yet been reported,” Putra Antara said.
Authorities confirmed that the suspect is a repeat offender in similar cases. He has been charged under Article 477 paragraph (1) letter e of Indonesia’s Criminal Code, which carries a maximum sentence of up to seven years in prison.
Police have urged villa operators and tourists staying in the Ubud area to remain vigilant and ensure that security systems are functioning properly to prevent similar incidents.