Student's Phone Snatched While Checking Google Maps After Being Followed from Jimbaran
Motorcyclists must remain vigilant when using mobile phones mounted on handlebars while riding, as demonstrated by a student named Christin Putri Nadya, whose phone was snatched while travelling on Ahmad Yani Utara Road in Darmasaba Village, Abiansemal District, Badung Regency, Bali.
The phone, mounted on the motorcycle’s mirror mount, was taken by a suspect who had been following her since the Jimbaran area in South Kuta. Although the incident occurred in early May, the perpetrator has been arrested.
Badung Police Criminal Investigation Unit Chief AKP Azarul Ahmad stated on Monday, 25 May 2026, ‘The victim was approached from behind by a man on a large automatic motorcycle. The suspect forcibly pulled the phone from the mount, breaking the holder, before fleeing north.’
The 28-year-old victim, temporarily residing in Ungasan Village, South Kuta, was travelling back to her hotel in Ubud, Gianyar, when the incident occurred at approximately 00:25 WITA on Wednesday, 6 May 2026. ‘She lost an iPhone valued at approximately Rp8 million,’ Azarul added.
The Badung Police Special Operations Team, led by Sub-Unit I Head Ipda Degi Rajuandi, reviewed CCTV footage from the area and interviewed the victim. Based on this evidence, officers conducted a search in the vicinity and arrested the suspect without resistance near Beraban Road, Tabanan.
‘Officers spotted a suspicious man and intercepted him. Upon presenting CCTV evidence, the suspect immediately confessed to the crime,’ Azarul explained.
The suspect, identified as IMD (27), a private sector employee from Tianyar District, Karangasem Regency, admitted to targeting the victim’s phone due to its visible placement while riding. ‘He waited for the right opportunity and seized the phone when conditions were quiet and dark in Darmasaba,’ Azarul said.
IMD faces charges under Article 476 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Criminal Code for theft, carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of up to Rp500 million.