SINGARAJA ~ A Dutchman was robbed of Rp123 million (US$10,250) while changing a flat tire in Banjar, Buleleng, on Monday, police said.

According to Buleleng Police spokesman I Made Sudirsa, Wilhelmus Meulenbroeks, had just withdrawn the large amount of cash from a bank in Singaraja when he got the flat tire.

“The victim reported that a man approached him and asked if he needed help changing the tire, but he said he could manage. He only realized his money was missing when he arrived at his home in Dencarik village,” Sudirsa.

Sudirsa said this kind of case had been reported in all areas of Bali, and the victims were usually people who had recently been to the bank to withdraw money.

According to Sudirsa, police suspect the thieves put a nail in one of the victim’s tires while they are parked at the bank and then rob them when they stop to change their flat tire.

He said Meulenbroeks could not give a description of the man who offered to help him, and police did not yet have any leads.