Inp.polri.go.id - Denpasar. The Ngurah Rai Airport Sub-regional Police have uncovered a car-theft syndicate operating across Bali and East Java, arresting five suspects between October and November 2025. 

“This is not an ordinary crime; it is a structured network from recruiters to fences outside Bali,” said Airport Police Chief Senior Superintendent I Komang Budiartha on Monday (8/12/2025), confirming the group used fake flight tickets and fictitious rentals to steal vehicles.

The investigation began after rental owners reported cars that were never returned. Police later seized three vehicles worth over Rp 750 million and identified additional suspects still at large. The main suspect, identified as TSA, was arrested in Tabanan, leading officers to the alleged mastermind, identified as RE, who coordinated recruitment and sent stolen cars to East Java. Two receivers, identified as BUD and RUD, were also detained for buying and reselling the vehicles, according to antaranews.com

Police continue to pursue a fugitive linked to the network and urge rental operators to tighten identity checks and verify travel documents to prevent similar crimes.

(mg/inp/pr/rs)