Central Lombok district head urges swift arrest after tourist robbery

Bahri said he regretted the robbery, which occurred on Saturday night, Feb. 21, and called on law enforcement to promptly identify and detain the perpetrator. “Hopefully the suspect will be arrested soon. This is the duty of law enforcement,” he said in Praya on Monday. He said the incident could undermine efforts to accelerate local economic growth through tourism, a key sector for Central Lombok. “We deeply regret that this happened,” he said, urging residents, village security units and the police and military to strengthen coordination to ensure visitor safety. Earlier, Central Lombok police said they were investigating the robbery of a Chinese citizen in Kuta Village, Pujut Subdistrict. “We remain committed to solving this case,” police spokesperson Iptu Lalu Brata Kusnadi said in Praya on Sunday. Officers from the Mandalika area police station responded to the scene following a report of violent theft at around 8:30 p.m. local time on Feb. 21. “After receiving the report, our officers immediately processed the crime scene and gathered witness statements,” he said. The victim was identified as Rui Bao. The incident occurred on a small road in Kuta I Hamlet, Kuta Village, Pujut Subdistrict. According to police, the victim was walking alone at about 8:30 p.m. when an unidentified assailant on a red motorcycle snatched her bag and fled. The stolen bag contained a passport, cash, a Chinese residence identification card and a SIM card from China. The victim reported the incident to the Mandalika police station shortly afterward. The suspect remains under investigation. Police said patrols in the Mandalika tourism area have been intensified to maintain security and public order. Authorities urged residents and tourists, domestic and foreign, to remain vigilant, avoid walking alone in quiet areas at night and refrain from displaying valuables. Related news: Police investigate theft of Thai tourists’ suitcases at Mount Bromo Related news: Bali Police hunt Russian mastermind behind violent robbery Translator: Akhyar R, Rahmad Nasution Copyright © ANTARA 2026