BeritaBali and Kompas report that the police apprehension of a pickpocket in Bali’s Bangli Regency ended surprisingly mercifully.
On 19 June 2026, a rapid Response Team of the Bangli Police Precinct arrested a man caught pickpocketing an American tourist at the Kehen Temple tourist attraction.
Somewhat surprisingly, although the culprit was arrested by police, the case did not proceed to formal prosecution when the American tourist opted to settle the matter amicably.
The Bangli Police Chief, Commissioner I Gusti Made Sudarma Putra, told the press that the Bangli Police Criminal Investigation Unit received a public report at 10:00 am alleging that a pickpocketing incident occurred in the Kehen Temple Area in Pekuwon Hamlet, Cempaga Village, Bangli.
The victim, Victor Miguel (63), is an American tourist who told police he lost his wallet containing his identity card and Rp 1 million in cash while visiting the tourist attraction.
Responding to the report, Bangli Police conducted an on-site investigation and gathered evidence in the case. Based on the police investigation, officers identified the alleged perpetrator as a local man, Nengah S (25), also known as “Kolok.”
However, interviewing the pickpocket became problematic when police discovered that Kolok was profoundly deaf. Police eventually resorted to sign language to obtain additional information about the crime.
According to Police Commissioner Sudarma Putra, police eventually returned Victor Miquel’s black wallet, still intact and containing all its contents, including Rp. 1 million in cash.
Video of Victor Miguel and Kolok, with the Police in Bangli Bali
When police eventually brought Victor Miuel to Kolok’s very simple residence in Bangli, the American visitor was so moved by the deaf man’s circumstances that he decided to withdraw the police complaint. which carried the almost certain risk of Jail time for Kolok. What’s more, the kind-hearted American gave money to the hearing-impaired Balinese.
Commenting on the case, Policeman Sudarma praised the American tourists’ largesse and Miguel’s noble decision, made after considering Kolok’s humble living conditions and his status as a deaf-mute, adding: “The victim chose not to continue the legal process and provide assistance to the alleged perpetrator because of his physical condition.”
The policeman told Kompas that the police did not view Kolok as a bad person. He believes the local youth’s reckless actions were purely driven by the economic and social limitations the perpetrator encounters in his daily life.
Separately. Miquel was quoted, saying, “Kolok didn’t mean to steal my wallet. He is a good person; he just has problems.”
It is certain that the American’s kindness did not “fall on deaf ears” and will long be remembered by Kolok, who struggles daily to survive in a remote village in Bangli Regency, Bali.
Related Links
Bengkala: Bali’s Village of the Deaf
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