Enraged by the thievery of a pickpocket operating on Kuta Beach in Bali, Police working in the area shot and maimed Made Anas (21), a Balinese “grab and flee” thief by shooting him in the leg on Monday, 05 August 2024.
Anas, from Tianyar Tengah Village, Kubu District, Karangasem, had, just moments before being shot by police in his calf, snatched a gold chain from an Indian tourist.
Police claim they were compelled to shoot the young Balinese man because he resisted efforts by police after being taken into custody. A spokesperson for the Denpasar Police, AKP Ketut Sukadi, told BeritaBali.com that Made Anas was immobilized by a single bullet to his left calf when he resisted interrogation efforts, refusing to cooperate with police in identifying additional crime scenes and victims.
Police report that Made Anas had snatched a 25-gram gold necklace from the neck of an Indian tourist, Rohit Arora (31), while he was standing on the roadside of Jalan Pantai Kuta in front of Carla Spa.
Once Anas has grabbed the gold necklace, he tried to make good his escape on a motorcycle. When the Indian tourist screamed for help, members of the public standing by on the roadside responded and gave chase, eventually stopping the thief and beating him severely.
Shortly after, police arrived and took the Balinese man into custody. Police then forcibly asked Anas to show them other areas where he had robbed visitors. Then, claiming the man tried to escape, police shot the Balinese in the leg.
It is not clear if, at the time of the initial arrest, Made Anas was immediately placed into handcuffs, which would have limited his ability to flee police custody.
Police say Made Anas intended to sell the 25-gram gold chain to a roadside gold dealer. The Indian tourist valued the chain at Rp. 38.5 million.
Police are holding the Balinese while awaiting formal indictment. Made’s motorcycle, jacket, and the Indian man’s gold necklace are being kept by police as evidence.
Made Anas’ leg wound was treated at a local hospital before being released back into police custody.
If convicted, Made Anas faces a maximum prison sentence of 9 years.
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