DENPASAR

Denpasar Police believe a gang of thieves may be deliberately targeting women riding motorbikes, after two similar robberies occurred in the city last Thursday evening.

The first incident occurred on Jl Gunung Salak at around 5pm. Ni Putu Parvati, 31, who lives on the street, was riding home on her motorbike when she was attacked by a pair of men, also riding a motorbike, who snatched her bag.

Parvati told police that the bag had contained a Toshiba laptop, a digital camera, a mobile phone, various credit and debit cards and Rp600,000 in cash. The total contents were worth an estimated Rp28 million (US£3278).

Meanwhile, shortly afterwards a similar attack took place on Jl Tangkuban Perahu, in the Sambian Padang area of the city.
A 43-year-old woman, Anastasia Maria Suradijantri, had her bag snatched as she was riding her motorcycle.

She lost Rp5 million (US$585) in cash, two mobile phones and various bank cards and papers.

A police spokesman said that officers were investigating the two incidents, and believed that a single gang may be responsible.