French national Jacob Roger Marcel was found guilty of breaking into an Alfamart convenience store in South Kuta, Badung. He was sentenced to one-year’s imprisonment by the Denpasar District Court. In his ruling, Judge Yogi Rachmawan declared that Marcel had been indubitably and clearly shown to be responsible for the theft.
Judge Yogi stated, “Taking into account the time already served in detention, the defendant has been sentenced to one year in prison.”
Judge Yogi determined that the French national’s conduct directly contravened Article 362 of the Criminal Code, which addresses the heinous crime of stealing. Marcel’s reckless actions resulted in material losses totalling IDR 35.7 million (USD 2,396) in the form of stolen cash and the loss of 12 packs of cigarettes and two bottles of cooling beverages.
The French national complied with the ruling and will not file an appeal.
The French national was accused in court of breaking into the Alfamart store on the 28th of February, 2023. The French man cunningly found cover behind some thick foliage, thinking he might outsmart the authorities in his deliberate attempt to avoid being taken into custody.
However, the police officers quickly located his hiding location after searching through the bushes close to the crime scene. Marcel was discovered with a plain black fabric bag containing stolen goods and illegally obtained cash.
Marcel later admitted that he entered the Alfamart store immediately before it was closed. Marcel reached through the ceiling using his devious methods, ensuring his quick escape from the crime scene.
Bali police and immigration ensure that the French citizen will be deported once he finishes serving his sentence in prison. Marcel’s bizarre act shows that tourists will do anything to support themselves when all their money for a holiday is gone, which happens quite often in Bali.
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