A United States citizen who lost his wallet while visiting Kehen Temple in Bangli Regency, Bali, has chosen not to pursue legal action after police recovered the stolen property and identified the alleged perpetrator.
Victor Miguel (63), a tourist from Miami who currently resides in Ubud, Gianyar Regency, was reportedly the victim of a pickpocketing incident on Friday, 19 June, at approximately 1:00 p.m. local time.
According to Bangli Police, Miguel lost a wallet containing several personal identification cards and Rp1 million in cash while visiting the temple complex. Following the incident, local residents assisted him in reporting the loss to authorities.
Police launched an investigation and later located the suspected perpetrator, identified by the initials INS, also known as Kolok (25), a resident of Banjar Pekuwon, Cempaga Village, Bangli District.
Head of Public Relations for Bangli Police, First Inspector I Gede Gumiliarta, said officers traced the suspect to Pasar Kidul in Bangli. After questioning, INS voluntarily returned the wallet along with all of its contents.
“We investigated and found the perpetrator. It was true that the victim resolved the matter; he didn’t want to report it. The most important thing is that the perpetrator is a mentally disabled and mute child, so the victim was touched,” Gumiliarta told Kumparan on Sunday, 21 June.
Police said the suspect is deaf and mute and communicates using sign language.
The return of the wallet enabled authorities to resolve the case without further legal proceedings after the victim decided not to file an official complaint.
Victim Chooses Reconciliation
Following the recovery of his belongings, Miguel met with INS and his family at their home in Cempaga Village. The meeting was witnessed by local community leaders, the suspect’s parents, and representatives of Bangli Police.
Rather than pursuing criminal charges, Miguel chose to settle the matter amicably.
According to Gumiliarta, the decision was influenced by the suspect’s personal circumstances and physical condition.
“The victim gave the perpetrator Rp300,000,” he said.
“The process was witnessed by the local neighbourhood head, the perpetrator’s parents, and the Bangli Police,” he added.
Bangli Police Chief Commissioner I Gusti Made Sudarma Putra said the suspect had cooperated fully by returning the victim’s belongings intact.
“We also appreciate the victim’s humanitarianism in choosing not to pursue legal proceedings and providing assistance to the alleged perpetrator due to his physical condition. This reflects Bali’s friendly and tolerant nature,” Sudarma said.
The case has now been resolved through reconciliation, with the victim confirming that he does not wish to continue the matter through the legal system.
