Thief Targeting Four Hindu Priests' Homes in Karangasem Turns Out to Be a Local Resident

The perpetrator of thefts at four Hindu priests’ homes in Budakeling Village, Bebandem District, Karangasem, has been arrested. The suspect is Ida Made Wiyanta (39), a local resident originally from Budakeling Village. Karangasem Police Chief AKBP I Made Santika stated that the perpetrator is a repeat offender in theft cases. Wiyanta had only been breathing free air since the beginning of the year after serving a sentence at the Class IIA Kerobokan Penitentiary. “The perpetrator is a local resident who indeed knows the ins and outs of the griya that became his targets, making it easy for him to take the ketu or crown of the pedanda,” said Santika on Friday (12/6/2026). Santika said Wiyanta had previously stolen in Budakeling Village and was made to swear an oath not to commit similar crimes again. After that, he went to Denpasar and committed theft again until he ended up serving a prison sentence. After being released, Wiyanta did not repent. He instead returned to stealing in his own village by targeting several griya. He made off with ketu or pedanda crowns containing gold jewellery and similar items. In carrying out his actions, Wiyanta entered through the back door, then pried open a window and took the goods, which were worth up to Rp 150 million. This modus operandi was applied at four different crime scenes. “After obtaining the ketu or bhawa, the perpetrator then took the gold jewellery, gemstones, and similar items. Meanwhile, the ketu was discarded into the Tukad Unda River in Klungkung,” said Santika. The gold and similar items from the theft were then melted down by Wiyanta. After being melted, the goods were sold to a fence in Klungkung. The fence is currently being questioned by the police. The proceeds from the stolen goods were then used by the perpetrator to live extravagantly before he was eventually arrested by the police in Denpasar. Wiyanta is now detained at the Karangasem Police headquarters. Wiyanta is charged under Article 477 of Law Number 1 of 2023 concerning the Criminal Code (KUHP) with a maximum penalty of nine years’ imprisonment or a fine of Rp 500 million.