Local media report that Juhaeryah Velina, a 49-year-old Indonesian woman was tragically killed in the North Kuta area of Bali in a foiled and fumbled purse snatching that occurred on Saturday, 07 February 2026 at around 10:30 pm.
As reported by DetkBali.com the tragedy unfolded when a woman riding a motorcycle on Jalan Pengubengan Kauh in Kerobokan, North Kuta, was struck from behind by two men on another motorcycle by attempting to snatch her handbag, running her off the side of the road in the process, where she struck a light pole.
The fatal incident was caught on numerous videos on area CCTV cameras.
The videos captured the female motorcyclist being stalked and forced off the road as her two assailants briefly fell from their motorcycle, before recovering and disappearing at they sped away in the night.
Police report that the woman, who eventually died from her injuries, was driving after attending a motorcycle club social gathering in Kerobokan.
Police responded by immediately dispatching a special investigative team, led by Police Commissioner I Ketut Agus Pasek Sudina, to the scene of the crime. Police promptly interviewed eye witesses and collected recordings from all nearby CCTV Cameras in operation at the time of the crime.
“We have reviewed CCTV footage along the entire route near the scene to clearly identify the perpetrators. Our team also gathered information from local residents to identify anyone who witnessed the crime,” said Officer Agus Pasek on Monday, 09 February 2026.
Excellent police work was rewarded with Kuta police arresting three suspects in the robbery-homicide on Friday, 13 February 2026
Law in Conflict with Itself
The arrest caused a side debate and controversy in law enforcement circles. In an effort to bring the criminals to justice, police widely circulated images of the perpetrators isolated from CCTV footage asking the public to assist in the search leading to arrest. This method of capture, however, was in direct contradiction to the new Indonesian Criminal Code (KUHP) that came into effect on 02 January 2026 which expressly forbids disclosing the identity of any criminal suspect who must always be presumed innocent until the suspects have at least been indicted and named via a formal legal proceeding.
Despite these regulatory limitations, police managed to arrest three suspects at separate locations in Tabanan and South Denpasar. One of the three perpetrators managed to briefly escape police custody and escape to Java, only to be recaptured and returned to Bali on Sunday, 15 February 2026.
Currently, the three perpetrators are undergoing intensive questioning to uncover their respective roles in the robbery that resulted in the death of the victim. Police are also investigating the possible involvement of the perpetrators in other crimes.
The robbery occurred on Jalan Pengubengan Kauh, Kerobokan Kelod, North Kuta District. Juhaeryah Velina, the victim, was targeted by the perpetrators while riding a motorcycle on Saturday, February 7, 2026, at around 11:28 PM WITA (Central Indonesian Time).
As a result of the incident, the victim suffered serious injuries after hitting a utility pole on the side of the road. The woman from Tangerang City, Banten Province, was rushed to Garba Med Hospital for medical treatment. However, she was pronounced dead a short time later.
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