Bali, Indonesia Sentinel — A man was caught by Police officers while attempting to break into an automated teller machine (ATM) in Bali using a welding tool.
South Denpasar Police Chief Commissioner Herson Djuanda confirmed the arrest during a press conference at the South Denpasar Police Station on Thursday February 6, as reported by CNN Indonesia. “The ATM had already been broken into, but before he could take any money, we apprehended him. If he had succeeded, he could have stolen around Rp577.6 million from the ATM,” said Herson.
The suspect, a resident of Curah Malang Village, Sumobito District, Jombang Regency, East Java, attempted to breach an ATM on By Pass Ngurah Rai Street, Pesanggaran, Pedungan Subdistrict, South Denpasar District, Denpasar City, Bali, on Friday (January 31) at around 4:30 a.m. local time.
Authorities were alerted to the man’s activities following reports from local residents. Herson stated that at approximately 4:30 a.m., residents reported a suspicious individual inside an ATM booth belonging to a bank on By Pass Ngurah Rai Street.
Upon receiving the report, police officers rushed to the scene and caught the suspect in the act of attempting to break into the ATM using a welding machine.
“When we secured him, we found a welding tool in his possession, which he was using to cut through the ATM’s security door. The suspect and the evidence were immediately taken to the South Denpasar Police Station,” he added.
Read also:
Indonesia Economy Grows 5.03% in 2024, Household Consumptions Becomes Key Drivers
Authorities seized several items as evidence, including a Suzuki Satria FU motorcycle, an 11-kg oxygen cylinder, a 3kg LPG gas cylinder, a welding tool, two regulators for the oxygen cylinder, and various other locksmith tools.
Suspect Motive
South Denpasar Police Criminal Investigation Unit Head, Inspector Nur Habib, revealed that the suspect had purchased the tools online.
“The suspect’s method was to break into the ATM using a welding machine. He had planned this in advance and purchased the necessary tools online. He has welding expertise, and we are still investigating his background. This was his first attempt,” he said.
The man’s motive for the crime was to obtain money quickly to cover his daily expenses. “He wanted to acquire money instantly to meet his daily needs,” Habib added.
The suspect has been charged with attempted aggravated theft under Article 363 of the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) in conjunction with Article 53, carrying a maximum prison sentence of five years.
(Raidi/Agung)
