Officer fired for theft

DENPASAR, Bali: Bali Police have dismissed a junior officer for alleged involvement in a motorcycle theft syndicate.

"I had no choice but to fire this officer," Bali Police chief Brig. Gen. I Wayan Ardjana said on Friday, without elaborating.

The officer, identified as 40-year-old Adj. Brig. I Gede Mudina, was arrested last week and is being detained for further investigation by the Bali Police's internal affairs division.

A few days before Mudina's arrest, police officers in Tabanan, some 14 kilometers west of here, nabbed at least four people who were believed to have stolen dozens of motorbikes in Denpasar and Badung.

The suspects later pointed their fingers at Mudina as one of the key persons in the crimes.

"They stole the motorbikes, provided them with fake registration numbers, and then transported them to Java via ferry from Gilimanuk Port, where Mudina was stationed," a police source said.

During questioning, Mudina reportedly confessed to receiving Rp 100,000 per motorbike for his services. (zen)