Police Arrest Underwear Thief in Tabanan, Victim Forgives Him

Police have arrested a man with the initials MIF (20), the thief of women’s underwear in Dauh Peken Village, Tabanan District. However, the victim, the woman who owned the underwear, has forgiven the perpetrator.

MIF previously stole the underwear on 14 August 2026. His act of stealing underwear went viral on social media after being recorded by closed-circuit television (CCTV). In the CCTV video, MIF is seen jumping over a house fence and then taking one piece of underwear.

Tabanan Police Chief, Kompol I Made Berata, said the man, who works at a lalapan food stall in the Tabanan City area, was arrested by police nearly two weeks after the incident. MIF admitted his actions during mediation with the victim.

Mediation between the victim and MIF was held in the Criminal Investigation Room of the Tabanan Police. During the mediation, MIF admitted to entering the victim’s house on Jalan Anyelir, Dauh Peken Village, Tabanan District, on Friday (14/8/2026) at around 03.00 WITA.

“From the perpetrator’s statement, he entered by climbing the wall of the house,” explained Made Berata on Tuesday (25/8/2026).

After being inside the yard, the perpetrator took the victim’s underwear that was being dried. To officers, MIF admitted that his action was carried out to fulfil or satisfy his lust. MIF claimed it was the first time he had committed such an act.

During the mediation, MIF expressed regret and apologised directly to the victim. The perpetrator also promised not to repeat his actions. The victim then accepted the apology.

“After deliberation, both parties agreed to resolve the matter amicably and not to sue each other in the future regarding the case,” Berata asserted.

The peace agreement was set out in a joint statement letter. The Tabanan Police appreciated the attitude of the victim and the perpetrator who chose to resolve the matter through deliberation so that the issue could be settled in a conducive manner.

Berata reminded that the amicable settlement in this case does not justify what the perpetrator did. Despite the reconciliation, the matter can still be processed legally if the perpetrator repeats his actions.

“If he repeats it again and the victim requests that it be continued to legal proceedings, we will follow up,” Berata asserted.