SINGARAJA ~ Hundreds of pipes ready to be used to channel fresh water were reported stolen on Saturday, an official said.

Residents of Gedongan village, Gerokgak, found 150 pipes were missing when they went to install pipes on Saturday.

“We are still investigating the robbery. We are open to the possibility that a village resident was involved, but the investigation is not going well because of a lack witnesses,” chief of Gerokgak Police Nyoman Kartika said.

Kartika predicted the robbery was done using a car and two or more suspects.

Village officials said the stolen pipes were worth around Rp7 million (US$642) and would be a serious setback for the fresh water project.