Badung, Bali. An Australian man identified by the initials WRJ has been arrested by North Kuta Police after allegedly stealing and setting fire to a car in a drunken rampage early Sunday.

The incident occurred in the Batu Belig area of North Kuta, where the suspect had reportedly been partying at a nightclub on Jalan Batu Belig. According to police, WRJ left the club around 1:30 a.m. on Sunday under the influence of alcohol.

"He was heavily intoxicated when he exited the club and became aggressive in the parking area," said Ni Nyoman Ayu Inastuti, spokesperson for Badung Police, on Monday. “He then forcefully took over a Toyota Avanza with license plate DK 1388 HO belonging to a local security guard, I Ketut WK.”

At the time, Ketut was resting inside his car during a night shift when a fellow guard alerted him to the presence of a drunken foreigner acting violently. Witnesses said WRJ had physically assaulted at least one security officer, including reportedly choking him.

Fearing for his safety, Ketut exited the vehicle and fled on foot, unintentionally leaving the car keys inside. The suspect then jumped into the vehicle and drove off.

Ketut and his colleague chased the car on a motorcycle. Near Villa Danoya, WRJ reportedly made a U-turn and drove back toward Gang Daksina, hitting another foreign national in the process.

Realizing that the narrow eastern path of the alley was inaccessible by car, Ketut and his colleague positioned themselves at the end of the alley to intercept the suspect. However, by the time they returned to the area, both WRJ and the car had vanished.

They proceeded to Villa Eden in Seminyak, where WRJ was confirmed to be staying. The villa staff also revealed that the suspect had been involved in a previous altercation on the premises.

With the help of the villa’s staff, the victim used a villa-owned mobile phone --believed to have been taken by WRJ--to track his location. The signal led them to the Padang Sambian area in West Denpasar. However, by the time they arrived, neither the suspect nor the car was present.

Ketut later filed a police report at North Kuta Police Station.

Police later found the burned remains of the black Avanza on a vacant lot on Jalan Buana Raya in West Denpasar. Authorities suspect WRJ set the vehicle on fire. 

North Kuta Police have confirmed they are coordinating with West Denpasar Police regarding the arson and plan to transfer the case to their jurisdiction. Immigration authorities at Ngurah Rai are also involved, investigating the Australian's visa status and potential immigration violations.

"The suspect and the vehicle will be handed over to Badung Police for further investigation and prosecution," Ayu said.

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