Bali Police have confirmed that they have tracked down and arrested an Indonesian national who was found to have stolen the handbag of a tourist who was relaxing on Pererenan Beach on Tuesday, 4th February.
Pererenan, in Canggu, was named the coolest neighborhood in the world for 2024, but as tourists enjoy the area, they are urged to keep an eye on what’s happening around them.
A 31-year-old Russian tourist, known by her initials GK, had her handbag stolen on Tuesday, 4th February.
The bag contained her iPhone 12 Pro Max, three ID cards, her Apple AirPods, and IDR 50,000 in cash. Police confirmed that the total loss amounted to IDR 15 million.
The incident took place around midday on Tuesday. GK is said to have placed her bag on the sand while she was walking along the beach, she returned to find that her bag had been stolen. A search of the area was conducted there, and the incident was quickly reported to Bali’s Mengwi Police Unit.
Speaking to reporters, Mengwi Police Chief Commissioner I Ketut Adnyana TJ explained that the Criminal Investigation Unit of the Mengwi Police immediately conducted an investigation.
Only a few hours after receiving the report, the criminal in question, now known as 21-year-old FISD from East Java, was successfully arrested at the construction site office where he had been working in the Seseh-Cemagi Village, just up the road.
Adnyana explained to reporters, “The perpetrator admitted to committing theft according to the victim’s report. One iPhone 12 Pro Max unit and IDR 50,000 in cash were taken, while the bag and other contents were left in the bathroom at Pererenan Beach.”
He confirmed, “The suspect is being charged with Article 362 of the Criminal Code on theft with a threat of five years in prison.”
While the contents of the bag were successfully recovered and Bali Police quickly made an arrest in this case, the situation serves as a timely reminder to tourists that they must keep an awareness of their surroundings and their belongings at all times in Bali.
While overall, Bali is one of the safest travel destinations in the world, opportunistic thieves do still operate in top tourism areas, including the island’s most popular beaches.
Tourists should not leave their belongings unattended on beaches, in cafes, restaurants, or at beach clubs. In the event that tourists believe they have been the victim of a robbery or theft, it is vitally important to report the incident to the police and local pecalang security teams as quickly as possible.
In more cases than you might first think, Bali Police are able to track down and arrest thieves and recover the stolen items. This can only be achieved if reports are made in a timely manner, before the individual, or individuals, leave the area or pass on the stolen items to a getaway driver.
Despite this week’s robbery, Pererenan remains a safe, welcoming, and exciting vacation destination. Located in the heart of Canggu, Pererenan and Pererenan Beach are easily the most popular tourist hangouts in Bali this year.
At the end of 2024, TimeOut magazine named Pererenan as the coolest neighborhood in the world for the year ahead.
The magazine described, “This place will remind you of what made Canggu famous in the first place—pristine beaches, cozy cafés, eclectic shops, and a certain laidback cool, devoid of noise and traffic.”
Pererenan is one of the top surf beaches in Bali and provides the perfect wavy playground for experienced and novice boarders alike.
Tourists keen to give surfing a go would be wise to head down to Pererenan Beach to book a surf lesson with one of the many beachfront surf shops that line the sand.
This week, however, be extra mindful of the weather conditions when heading out on the water as the Center for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics for Bali has issued weather warnings and high wave alerts.
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