Travel Driver Molested Passenger in Southwest Sumba After Vehicle Emptied
Police have revealed the chronology of a travel driver named Yohanes Umbu Sogara (45), who is suspected of harassing a passenger, Theresia Tamo Inna (22). The harassment took place inside the vehicle while Yohanes was transporting Theresia to her home in Kampung Pu’u Tame, Wee Rena Village, Kota Tambolaka District, Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT).
“The incident began when the victim had just returned from Bali,” stated the Head of Criminal Investigation of the Southwest Sumba Police, Iptu Yakobus Kokube Sanam, to detikBali on Thursday (4/6/2026).
Jack, as Yakobus is known, explained that the sexual harassment occurred around 09:00 WITA on Wednesday (3/6/2026). The incident began after Theresia arrived from Bali at Lede Kalumbang Waitabula Airport, SBD.
Following her arrival, the driver offered to take her to her home. However, several other passengers requested to be dropped off first in the Kodi area. Yohanes complied with these requests, and Theresia was also taken towards Kodi.
Once all other passengers had disembarked, only Theresia remained in the car. During the journey, specifically in Kampung Watu Kawula, Kota Tambolaka District, Yohanes proceeded to harass Theresia.
“At that moment, the victim was molested by the perpetrator throughout the journey from Kodi until they reached the victim’s house, involving the squeezing of her left and right thighs, under her armpits, her cheeks, and also kissing her hand,” Jack said.
Upon arriving at her home, Theresia immediately recounted the incident to her family. Outraged by the event, her family went directly to the Southwest Sumba Police to file a formal report.
“The act of indecency occurred inside the vehicle shared by the victim and the perpetrator,” Jack explained.
Previously, a viral video surfaced showing a travel driver allegedly harassing a female passenger inside his car during a journey. The incident took place while the driver was transporting the woman to her home in Southwest Sumba Regency, East Nusa Tenggara.
In the 5-minute and 10-second viral video, the woman is seen wearing a black t-shirt with dreadlocked hair, while the driver wears a yellow t-shirt and a black hat. Both are seen sitting side-by-side in the front of the vehicle.
“Talk to me first, then you speak,” the man says in the viral video. The moment was recorded by the woman using her mobile phone camera. Shortly after, the driver attempted to hold the woman’s right hand while asking for her name.
“Esi,” the woman replied to the driver’s question.
In the recording, the driver repeatedly performed indecent acts by groping the woman’s thighs and even kissing her, while appearing to laugh loudly. The woman attempted to resist the driver’s advances. The harassment only ceased when they arrived at a certain location and the driver exited the vehicle, while the woman continued to record silently.
Iptu Yakobus Kokubo Sanam confirmed the harassment depicted in the viral video. He stated that the case is currently being handled by the Women and Children Protection Unit (PPA) of the Southwest Sumba Police following the report filed by the victim on Wednesday (3/6/2026).