Bali Police Nab American After String of Minimart Robberies
Jakarta. Bali Police announced on Tuesday (21/02) that they have arrested a United States citizen allegedly involved in robbing and looting several minimarkets in Denpasar and Badung district.
"The suspect carried out robberies in at least eight different locations over the past six months," Kuta Police chief Comr. Wayan Sumara told the media.
Sumara explained that the 57-year-old suspect, only identified by the initials P.A.H., staked out potential targets before robbing them at night. He mainly targeted minimarkets that stay open 24 hours, as they would often only have one employee on duty.
"The suspect would enter the shop like an ordinary customer and then threaten the cashier with a sharp object when he was about to pay. He threatened them and took all the money in the safe," Sumara added.
He is believed to have stolen a total of Rp 18 million ($1,350).
Police initially had difficulty in tracking down the suspect, as he always covered his face and the license plate of his getaway vehicle.
However, following a tip-off from residents, Kuta Police arrested the man at a crime scene during a stakeout.
He confessed to having been involved in eight robberies over the past six months, but Sumara expressed hope that members of the public and minimart owners will report any other incidents where the perpetrator had used a similar modus operandi.
"If there were any incidents with the same characteristics, report it to the police immediately for further investigation, to ensure that the suspect will receive severe punishment," Sumara said.
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