Man from Madura Arrested for Villa Burglary and Phone Robbery Targeting Tourists in Bali's Kuta Utara
A 44-year-old man from Sampang, Madura, has been arrested by Badung Police for two separate incidents in Kuta Utara, Bali: breaking into a villa and stealing an iPhone, MacBook, and hard drive from an Australian tourist, and robbing a Polish woman of her phone. Part of the stolen property was reportedly sold for as little as Rp150,000.
Badung Police in Bali have arrested a 44-year-old man, identified by the initial T, originally from Sampang, Madura, East Java, in connection with two separate crimes targeting foreign tourists in the Kuta Utara subdistrict.
The first incident occurred on March 31, 2026, at a villa on Jalan Pura Dalem Pedonan in Tibubeneng village, Kuta Utara. The victim, a 39-year-old Australian woman (initials MARCS), had locked all doors before leaving for a massage appointment around 4:00 PM local time. Upon returning around 5:00 PM, she found the front door damaged and discovered that her iPhone 17, 14-inch MacBook Pro, and a 2TB external hard drive were missing. CCTV footage reviewed by the victim showed an unknown person entering the villa around 4:40 PM and prying open the bedroom door.
The second incident took place on October 3, 2026, on Jalan Subak Dawas, where a Polish woman's phone was reportedly robbed by a man posing as a motorcycle taxi (ojek) driver.
Following an investigation that included reviewing CCTV footage, police arrested the suspect T on October 10, 2026. He has reportedly confessed to the crimes. Investigators also found that one of the stolen iPhone 17 units had been sold to another man, identified by initials KNT (42), for just Rp150,000 (roughly USD 9). Police are continuing to investigate KNT's possible involvement.
Things to Consider
When staying in a villa, always double-check that all windows and doors are locked before heading out, and use an in-room safe or secure lockbox for valuables whenever available. Carry expensive electronics such as iPhones and MacBooks with you, or store them in the villa's security safe rather than leaving them unattended in bedrooms. Ask villa management in advance whether CCTV is actively monitored and recorded, as footage can be crucial evidence if a theft occurs. When using motorbike taxis, rely only on official ride-hailing apps like Gojek or Grab rather than accepting offers from unsolicited drivers on the street. If you become a victim, report immediately to the nearest police station (Polsek/Polres) and request that any available CCTV footage be preserved.
Source: TribunTrends.com