BADUNG, BALINEWS – Two Chinese nationals, identified by their initials LDJ, 31, and LZ, 28, have been arrested by the Criminal Investigation Unit of the I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Police for allegedly stealing money from a passenger aboard a Batik Air flight from Jakarta to Denpasar.
The two suspects were arrested at a hotel on Kartika Plaza Street in Kuta, Badung, on Monday (November 2, 2026), following an investigation into the theft of USD 1,500, equivalent to approximately Rp27.2 million, belonging to a 22-year-old Australian passenger identified as JAPB.
I Gusti Ngurah Rai Airport Police Chief AKBP I Made Hendra Agustina said the case was solved less than 12 hours after the victim filed a police report.
According to the investigation, the incident occurred aboard Batik Air flight ID 6508 from Jakarta to Denpasar on Sunday (November 1, 2026).
The victim had placed a backpack in the overhead compartment near seats 7D, 7E, and 7F, occupied by the victim and the two suspects. The victim was seated behind the suspects.
While the victim was distracted, LDJ allegedly took cash from the backpack and concealed it beneath a black jacket.
"When the victim was not paying attention, suspect LDJ took the money from the victim's backpack and hid it beneath a black jacket," Hendra said during a press conference at the airport police headquarters on Thursday (November 5, 2026).
After the aircraft landed at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, the two suspects disembarked before the victim.
The victim only realized that the money was missing after being informed by another passenger seated nearby. The passenger had recorded the suspects allegedly opening the victim's bag and taking the cash using a mobile phone.
The recording subsequently became a key piece of evidence in the police investigation.
Following the report, investigators traced the public transportation vehicle used by the suspects after they left the airport. Their movements eventually led police to a hotel on Kartika Plaza Street in Kuta.
Officers then coordinated with hotel management before arresting the two suspects.
Hendra said both initially denied involvement in the theft. However, after police showed them the video recording, they admitted to their actions.
During questioning, the suspects reportedly said they had planned to target passengers by purchasing flight tickets and taking advantage of passengers' lack of attention during flights.
LDJ allegedly acted as the person who took the money, while LZ was responsible for concealing and keeping it inside a wallet.
Police said the suspects claimed this was their first time committing such an offense. However, investigators are continuing to examine reports of similar incidents to determine whether the pair may have been involved in other theft cases.
"We are still investigating other reports involving similar incidents. We are trying to determine whether there were other perpetrators or whether the two suspects have committed similar offenses before. At this stage, the motive appears to be financial," Hendra said.
Police confiscated USD 800 in cash, consisting of eight USD 100 banknotes, which were found inside a wallet belonging to the suspects.
The two suspects have been charged under Article 477 paragraph (1) in conjunction with Article 20 of Law No. 1 of 2023 on the Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP), concerning aggravated theft committed jointly.
If convicted, they face a maximum sentence of seven years in prison or a maximum Category V fine of Rp500 million.
Police are continuing their investigation to identify possible additional victims and determine whether other individuals were involved in similar thefts aboard aircraft.
